China-Africa relations

For African governments, China’s party congress is about more than Xi Jinping.

A recent survey delves into Chinese perceptions of the U.S., Russia, Japan, Europe, Africa, and Singapore.

A viral lockdown trend illustrates some of China’s attitudes to international relations and people-to-people diplomacy – including persistent stereotypes.

Of course the COVID-19 pandemic played a role, but there is another factor at play: pressure from international organizations to avoid debt.

Some analysts suggested Beijing was seeking to shore up international support for its position on the Ukraine war. Maybe, but that wasn’t the major impetus for the recent series of bilateral meetings.

Analysts and officials in the U.S. and Europe have been sharply critical of China’s stance. But the view from African countries is different.

China’s approach to security issues is meant to be in line with African frameworks, in accordance with the principle of non-intervention.

African countries have the agency to use relations with China to their own advantage. Whether African leaders will use their power to benefit their people is another question.

While loans take the lion’s share of the focus, Chinese FDI in Africa has also been growing at a rapid clip.

For China, the establishment of banks in Nigeria presents an opportunity to further integrate itself with the financial systems of the African continent.

Such visits show Africa’s agency in the relationship, but much more can be done to ensure African countries get what they need from China.