As the US increasingly fades, how has China left its mark on Africa?

China began building infrastructure in Africa decades before its Belt and Road Initiative gained global influence.

That is the opinion of Mr. Wenfang Tang* in an article titled Why China is succeeding in Africa where the US is failing published in SCMP on September 15.

The article “Why China is succeeding in Africa where the US is failing” was published on SCMP on September 15. (Screenshot)

Responding to urgent development needs

According to Mr. Tang, Beijing has just successfully hosted the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit, attended by leaders from 53 African countries. This is indeed a grand diplomatic event, making Western governments “feel uncomfortable”.

Many see the event as a victory for China in its strategy to increase its influence on the global political stage.

Opening ceremony of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit on September 5. (Source: FOCAC)

Today, Africa has become an indispensable part of China's foreign policy, as well as an important geopolitical bridge in the Belt and Road Initiative. African votes, which account for a large number in the United Nations (UN) and many other international organizations, are willing to side with Beijing's stance, in order to strengthen the Asian giant's position and interests in the international arena.

Mr. Tang said that Beijing’s interest in Africa is not new. In the 1960s, Premier Zhou Enlai spent more than a month in Africa, openly supporting anti-imperialist national independence movements and calling the people of the continent “comrades” and “brothers.”

The move came as China was isolated by the international community as the West dominated the world order and Sino-Soviet relations deteriorated.

China has supported infrastructure development in Africa even when its GDP per capita was lower than that of some African countries. Many Africans still remember and are grateful for these projects, many of which are still in use today.

Gongo la Mboto Cemetery in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) pays tribute to Chinese engineers, technicians and workers who died while building the Tanzania-Zambia railway (Source: Xinhua)

In the 1980s and 1990s, under the leadership of Chairman Deng Xiaoping, who led China's economy to remarkable growth, the country experienced a period of "intimacy" with the West. However, when the West realized that Beijing seemed to be interested only in advanced technology and market economy instead of political system and ideology, the West did everything possible to block the progress of the "Asian giant".

Therefore, in 2000, China began to turn to Africa, establishing business partnerships based on mutual economic interests without interfering with each other's sovereignty.

Mr. Tang emphasized that China's success in Africa is due to Beijing's ability to meet the continent's urgent needs in the fields of infrastructure, sustainable development, digital economy and local governance.

While China is currently behind the United States in developing military hardware and artificial intelligence technology, it is a world leader in many areas such as infrastructure, clean energy, electric vehicles and the digital economy. China’s governance experience can help African countries improve public services and curb corruption.

Cultural and political engagement

The article asserts that the failure of US foreign policy also “paved the way” for China's presence in Africa.

During his visit to Africa, former US President Barack Obama spent a lot of time and effort trying to convince people to accept gay rights, but the actions were not enough to meet the economic development needs of these countries.

The US has previously hosted two summits on Africa in 2014 and 2022, but the main purpose was only to counter China's influence on the continent, while promoting US political values ​​and beliefs.

In contrast, China's approach to Africa as a comrade and business partner has yielded impressive results.

In 2022, China-Africa trade volume reached $282 billion, nearly five times that of the United States. Chinese-funded infrastructure projects in Africa are ubiquitous. The country also benefits from access to abundant natural resources and an expanded market for its products in Africa, with the continent’s population nearly equal to China’s.

A Ugandan student learning Chinese at school. (Source: Shutterstock)

According to Mr. Tang, China's soft power is also clearly demonstrated here.

Contrary to their closure in the US market, Confucius Institutes are thriving in Africa. The Confucius Institute at the University of Dodoma in Tanzania offers a bachelor’s degree in Chinese arts to more than 200 students. The success of Confucius Institutes in Africa also reflects the “footprint” of Chinese culture on the continent.

Africans also value China’s governance experience. For example, the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School (Tanzania), modeled after the Central Party School of the Communist Party of China, trains promising young leaders from the ruling parties of Tanzania, South Africa, Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

China's growing presence in Africa is unquestionable. (Source: Shutterstock)

However, China’s success in Africa is facing some obstacles. In addition to the “debt trap” problem, challenges also come from within many countries. Some are indifferent, even disdainful of the China-Africa Summit and the role of the black continent in this country of a billion people.

Mr. Tang pointed out that some Chinese people are afraid of the economic and political risks in their investments in Africa. However, China's strategy in Africa comes from a historical perspective, towards common interests and mutual respect.

China has built a deep relationship with Africa, not only based on economic interests but also on historical and cultural foundations. Through infrastructure projects, development assistance and mutual respect, China has achieved positive results and become an important partner of Africa.

Despite facing many challenges both internally and externally, thanks to a long-term strategy based on cooperation and respect, China has not only affirmed its position as an economic power but also a reliable partner in Africa's development.

* Mr. Wenfang Tang is currently Professor and Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen Campus. His research interests include Political Culture, Mass Politics, and Public Opinion Survey.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/khien-my-ngay-cang-lu-mo-trung-quoc-da-de-lai-dau-an-tai-chau-phi-nhu-the-nao-286531.html