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CWA # 895, 22 January 2023
Avishka Ashok
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TWTW#199, 22 January 2023, Vol. 5, No. 03
Africa: Chinese foreign minister’s visit
Avishka Ashok
What happened?
On 16 January, China’s new Foreign Minister Qin Gang completed his week-long visit to Ethiopia, Gabon, Benin, Angola and Egypt. Qin also visited the African Union headquarters and the League of Arab States. During his first stop in Ethiopia, Qin said: “Africa should be a big stage for the international cooperation, not an arena for major-force rivalry.”
In Ethiopia, Qin Gang met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and signed an MoU to enhance political and economic cooperation. He also inaugurated the new headquarters for the African Centre for Disease Control in Addis Ababa. Qin met with the Chairman of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat and held the 8th China-African Union strategic dialogue.
Meeting the Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba, Qin promised to help Gabon pursue high-quality cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative. Upon meeting Beninese President Patrice Talon, Qin pledged to encourage Chinese investments in the country and requested the safety of Chinese nationals in Benin.
Qin also celebrated the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Angola when he met with President Joao Lourenco. In Egypt, Qin discussed regional issues, the Sino-Egyptian relations and promised to help Egypt’s tourism sector. While meeting the Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, Qin expressed hopes for a peaceful and development-driven Middle East.
What is the background?
First, China’s long-term relations with Africa. Foreign Minister Qin Gang’s visit continues the 33 years-long practice of visiting African countries at the beginning of each year. The visit signifies the importance given to the continent and the recognition of Africa’s role in China becoming a part of the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council in 1971. China also takes extra efforts to visit all kinds of countries, regardless of the size of their economy or their importance in the world order. The only requirement is African countries’ participation in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative. However, on a practical level, the visits are strategic and are meant to deepen China’s investments in Africa.
Second, the geography of Qin’s visits. The Foreign Minister’s visit to Gabon and Benin was unexpected. The visit is aimed at further enhancing China’s cooperation in French-speaking Western and Central Africa countries. Through the visits, it is expected that China might be looking to expand its relations with the Francophonic African countries. However, the 2023 visit to Africa did not pay attention to Southern Africa.
Third, expanding economic cooperation. China’s engagement with Africa increased substantially in the later half of the 1990s and picked up in the 2000s. Since 2010, China has consecutively remained to be Africa’s top trading partner. In 2022, the China-Africa bilateral trade broke the record, yet again, marking an 11 per cent increase since 2021. The trade is valued at USD 282 billion. The countries have come a long way since 2010, when China first become the largest trading partner, recording bilateral trade worth USD 114.81 billion. China has since accessed Africa’s geographic location, oil, rare-earths, natural resources and raw materials. For Africa, China provides an easy opportunity to access unconditional soft loans, cheap products, and funding for peacekeeping missions.
Fourth, strategic areas of cooperation. China’s relations with Africa are not limited to trade and infrastructure. African countries have been expanding their cooperation with China along diverse fields such as health, education, telecommunication, space, science and technology, and more. Djibouti is the latest country to extend cooperation with China on space after Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group approved plans to build USD one billion spaceport in the country. On the maritime front, China has been a key player in building African port infrastructure and conducting counterpiracy exercises. Africa is an essential part of China’s Maritime Silk Route.
Fifth, debt crisis and confidence building. According to the Chinese Loans to Africa Database, China’s financial institutions have loaned almost USD 160 billion to African countries between 2000 and 2020. Most countries have been unable to pay the loans back. Qin’s visit to Angola is also seen as an attempt to win back the country which has been distancing itself from China while approaching other powers to balance its relations. Over 40 per cent of Angola’s debts are owed to China. Qin announced a partial forgiveness of Ethiopia’s USD 13.7 billion debt. China rejected the principle of debt trap and reiterated that the country had previously signed agreements with 19 African countries to reduce the debt burden.
What does it mean?
There is an upward trend in the China-Africa relations, despite the consecutive imbalance in trade. In 2018, Xi Jinping pledged to change the nature of trade with Africa. In September 2022, China exported good worth USD 25 million while Africa’s exports to China was totaled at USD 10 million. Even though China’s approach towards Africa is viewed in a better light than the West, the relationship between the two continue to be influenced by China’s financial generosity.
Meanwhile, African countries have smartly indulged in relations with the US, Europe, and China at the same time. The withdrawal of the West is therefore viewed by Africa in a neutral light. The actions of the West however, creates more opportunities for China.
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Himani Pant
Sourina Bej
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Indrani Talukdar
Padmashree Anandhan
Padmashree Anandhan
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