Jan 21, 2025 Story by: Editor
BEIJING, Jan 6 (Reuters) – China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has commenced his traditional New Year tour of Africa, a practice that has endured for 35 years. This year’s visit underscores Beijing’s steady expansion of influence across the resource-rich continent at a time when Europe’s presence is shrinking, and the United States’ involvement remains uncertain.
As global leaders focus on pressing issues such as wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, along with domestic politics, Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Namibia, the Republic of Congo, Chad, and Nigeria highlights China’s consistent engagement with Africa, analysts note.
Wang’s trip aligns with China’s efforts to strengthen financial support for Africa, secure critical mineral agreements, and identify new markets for its exports. “The decision on which countries to go to each year rarely follows any external logic,” said Eric Orlander, co-founder of the China-Global South Project. “(But) it resonates in Africa as a reminder of China’s consistent commitment to the continent, in contrast to the approaches of the U.S., United Kingdom, and European Union.”
Expanding Engagement
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, reinforced this sentiment during a press conference on Monday, stating, “China firmly believes that Africa has never been a forgotten continent, but rather a source of vitality and a land full of development potential.”
With Africa’s 50-plus votes at the United Nations, the continent remains crucial to Beijing’s broader geopolitical goals. Analysts say these votes could help China reshape multilateral institutions and global norms to align more closely with its interests, particularly on sensitive topics like human rights.
Moreover, as China’s economic growth slows, Africa presents a valuable market for its state-owned infrastructure companies, which are seeking new projects amid reduced spending by local governments. The continent also offers an outlet for China’s surplus in areas such as electric vehicles and solar panels, fields in which the U.S. and EU have accused Beijing of overproduction.
Diplomatic Priorities
Unlike U.S. President Joe Biden, whose only visit to sub-Saharan Africa during his presidency was a trip to Angola in December, China prioritizes Africa in its diplomatic calendar. “China has become central to Africa’s policy, as an actor and an inspiration,” said Hannah Ryder, founder of Development Reimagined, an African-owned consultancy. She noted how candidates for the African Union Commission have praised China’s contributions to manufacturing and education as they campaign for the February election.
Wang Yi’s itinerary includes a stop in the Republic of Congo, which recently assumed co-chairmanship of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). This reflects China’s commitment to implementing pledges made at last year’s summit, where Beijing announced $51 billion in new financial assistance to Africa, Ryder said.
Security Collaboration
China is also stepping up its involvement in regional security issues, a factor that partially explains Wang’s planned visit to Chad. Last month, France began withdrawing its military from Chad after its government terminated a long-standing defense cooperation agreement. This move underscores shifting alliances in the region, where Beijing’s influence is growing.“China has been a reliable and stable partner for the new military juntas in the Sahel and West Africa,” Orlander observed. “For the French and U.S., who see a dilution of Western power in the region, China’s presence is seen as ‘controversial,’ but it’s a very different view from African perspectives.” Source: Reuters
