IN FOCUS
By Avishka Ashok 

China’s growing influence in Africa scrutinized with concern

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)
On 29 and 30 November, the People’s Republic of China will celebrate 20 years of friendly and economically beneficial relations with the African countries. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Dakar, Senegal and will celebrate two decades of the China-Africa cooperation. China has played an important role in building the infrastructural landscape in Africa. The country has invested greatly in African countries’ railways, roadways, airways, government buildings, schools, medical facilities and many other essential institutions. Other than infrastructural development, China has also invested and assisted in the development of the energy sector, tourism industry, economy and commerce, and technological advancements in the continent. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin announced that the upcoming Forum is focused upon “deepening the China-Africa Partnership and promoting Sustainable Development to Build a China-Africa Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.” Health, investment cooperation, trade and commerce, food security, climate change, human resources and digital innovation are some of the key areas that will be discussed during the days of the Forum.
 
China’s trade affairs with Africa
With the heightened interaction between China and the African countries for over two decades, there is much suspicion regarding China’s intentions in the African continent. Sino-imperialism or the risk of falling for Chinese debt traps are foreseen as the major challenges that may be faced by young African countries who have allegedly blindly trusted the help coming from Chinese investors. China’s interest in the continent is connected to the vast availability of resources that have remained undiscovered until now. The country has spent close to USD 125 billion on Africa between 2000 and 2006 and also promised to support the continent with USD 60 billion at the 2018 FOCAC. Trade between China and the continent has risen drastically from USD 20 billion in 2000 to USD 208 billion in 2019 (pre-pandemic). China is the highest trading partner for most African countries and makes for half of the continent’s international trade and infrastructure development contracts.
 
China’s interest in Africa
For the past 20 years, China has been acquiring raw materials such as oil, iron, copper and zinc from the African continent. China is presently one of the fastest-growing economies which are constantly in the need of minerals to keep its machines of production and services running at all times. The country is also advancing at a fast pace in the field of scientific technologies and inventions. There is a high demand for minerals like cobalt which is used for the creation of electric vehicle batteries. The Chinese company called ‘China Molybdenum’ currently owns 80 percent of all cobalt mines in Congo. The development has raised concerns for many countries including the US as the mines in Congo are a crucial source of cobalt across the world. The White House also stated: “China's dominance of the mineral presents a critical vulnerability to the future of the U.S. domestic auto industry."
 
References:
“Africa and China gearing up for the 2021 FOCAC,” TrendsnAfrica, 24 November 2021
“China’s trade with Africa grows 2.2 per cent in 2019 to US$208 billion,” South China Morning Post, 18 January 2020
“China’s engagement with Africa: From natural resources to human resources,” Brookings, 13 July 2016  
“Hunter Biden’s firm helped China get control over vast Cobalt mine in Africa: Report,” Republic World, 21 November 2021
“Why China Is Taking over Africa's Resources One Country at a Time,” The National Interest, 31 July 2019
 
IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Keerthana Nambiar
 
INTERNAL
China’s top political advisory body discusses promotion of Traditional Chinese Medicine
On 26 November, China’s National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) discussed measures to advance and protect TCM. The meeting held by the top political advisory body called for better coordination in protection of TCM resources and promotion of the industry. Efforts to collect, sort, and protect ancient books, safeguard TCM recipes and techniques, and strengthen the database of this information were discussed. The meeting also mentioned that modern science should be used to interpret why and how TCM works which can give boost to cultivation of specialized talent and resources for TCM. (“Political advisors discuss TCM development, protection,” Xinhua, 27 November 2021)
 
Hong Kong election candidates receive suspicious packages from Taiwan
On 26 November, the Hong Kong Police Force announced that a number of candidates who are taking part in the Hong Kong Legislative Council elections have received a suspicious package. The police believe that the packages can be traced back to their source in Taiwan and are currently handling the case as an issue of criminal intimidation. The New People’s Party Chairwoman received a package containing rotten meat while another candidate received a threatening letter. In the previous week, the West Kowloon Magistrate’s court and the Shatin Magistrates’ court received packages consisting of unknown powder. (“HK candidates for LegCo election receive threatening parcels; Taiwan political forces suspected” Global Times, 26 November 2021)
 
TECHNOLOGY
China’s shipment of mobile phones surges high
On 27 November, Xinhua reported that the shipments of Chinese mobile phones surged by 12 percent year on year. The data was released by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, which is a research institute under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The shipments of mobile phones from domestic Chinese brands stood highest, making 67.9 percent of the total shipments. The release of 26 new models and shipments of domestic units by the bulk has helped reach the level. (“China's mobile phone shipments reach 282 mln units in Jan.-Oct.,” Xinhua, 27 November 2021)

REGIONAL
Australia accuses China of hypocrisy in region
On 26 November, The Asahi Shimbun reported that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called out China’s “alarming” action in the East Asian region which does not match the rhetoric of peaceful prosperity China promotes. PM Morrison said this during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Furthermore, the defence minister of Australia, Peter Dutton also listed China’s militarization of the South China Sea, the National Security Law in Hong Kong and the threats to Taiwan as actions against its peaceful rhetoric. Australia and China share strained relations at the time due to ideological and trade barriers. (“Australia says China’s ‘alarming’ actions at odds with peaceful rhetoric,” Asahi Shimbun, 26 November 2021)

US Congressmen meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen 
On 26 November, the Global Times reported that the US had sent a Congressional delegation to Taiwan for the second time in the month of November. The meeting between the US lawmakers and the Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen comes soon after US President Joe Biden met with the Chinese President Xi Jinping and stated that the US does not support the secessionist movement in Taiwan. The delegation also met with the island's military authorities. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian responded to the visit and said: “The clumsy show put up by certain US politicians and the Taiwan authorities is only to be overwhelmed by China's reunification process and can never change the unbreakable landscape where 180 countries in the world are committed to the one-China principle. All erroneous acts that run counter to the trend of China's reunification are like an ant trying to topple a giant tree and will end up in failure.” (“US lawmakers’ Taiwan visit a ‘clumsy show’ to be overwhelmed by China’s reunification process,” Global Times, 26 November 2021)
 
INTERNATIONAL
Riots in Solomon Islands impact Chinatown and Chinese businesses 
On 26 November, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian referred to the riots in Solomon islands and expressed confidence in the Island’s government to handle the situation. He said: “China is closely following the developments in the Solomon Islands and condemns the violence.” The People’s Republic of China plays an important role in the issue because the riots have majorly affected Chinatown and the businesses belonging to Chinese nationals. Zhao refused to send troops to control the situation since the government had not made any such request. He also urged other countries to not intervene and let the state authorities take action. He further accused the US of encouraging the Malaita Islanders and interfering in the country’s internal politics. (“‘External forces’ behind Solomon Islands unrest, as PM firmly defends developing ties with China,” Global Times, 27 November 2021)
 
Chinese Foreign Minister urges China, Russia, India to get rid of “democracy trap”
On 26 November, the Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China, Russia and India should not let other countries interfere in their matters or preach to them about democracy. They should get rid of the “democracy trap” which forces one template or one standard of functioning over them. Wang made these remarks during the 18th Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of China, Russia and India. He spoke of the respect for national traditions and customisation to democracy that every country warrants. He opposed the negative energy that the supposed world leader US is set to emit through the “democracy summit.” The three foreign ministers also discussed COVID-19 cooperation and respect for UN based world order. (“China, Russia, India called on to get out of ‘democracy trap’,” Global Times, 27 November 2021)
 
China and Russia look forward to heightened investment cooperation
On 26 November, the Chinese Premier Han Zheng and Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov took part in a video conference and agreed to expand the cooperation on investment in their industrial sectors. Premier Zheng observed that the two countries must expand their areas of cooperation and fasten the pace of revising the investment cooperation plans. He said: “The two sides should also strengthen cooperation at local levels and collaborate on key industries representing the new development direction and work together to create a more stable, fair, transparent and predictable business environment.” (“China and Russia agree to enhance investment cooperation,” Global Times, 26 November 2021)