China and Africa: Harnessing the eastern wind Beijing is crafting a new model of relations

On September 5, the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) commenced at the Great Hall of the People. The Xinhua News Agency highlighted this landmark event with the headline, "Embark on a New Path to Modernization Dreams for the Communist Party of China and Africa."

During the forum, Chinese President and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping delivered a keynote address outlining new principles. He proclaimed that China's relationship with African nations has now been elevated to a strategic partnership. According to Xi, China and Africa have established a new model of international relations, aiming to build a China-Africa community for a new era with a shared future. A new cooperation plan was also announced.

The Chinese perspective holds that modernization is an inherent right for all countries. Without the modernization of both China and Africa, global development would be unattainable. This is not just a metaphor—China and Africa together represent one-third of the world’s population. Moreover, the majority of countries in need of modernization are in Africa. Xi Jinping, in traditional Chinese style, proposes:

"Harness the eastern wind and walk straight along the great road to reach your goal."

Xi Jinping further emphasized that the friendship between China and Africa transcends time and space, spans mountains and oceans, and is passed down from generation to generation. "We have stood side by side, hand in hand, firmly defending each other's legitimate rights and interests amidst centuries of global changes. We have strengthened ourselves through the waves of economic globalization and reaped fruitful results," the Chinese leader stated.

Xi also introduced the concept of "Six Modernizations" for China and Africa: 1. Fair and reasonable 2. Open and mutually beneficial 3. People-centered 4. Diverse and inclusive 5. Environmentally sustainable 6. Peaceful and secure.

Additionally, Xi Jinping proposed ten key areas for China-Africa partnership, including mutual learning and enrichment between civilizations, trade prosperity, cooperation in industrial chains, development of infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, interpersonal and cultural exchanges, green development, joint security efforts, all with a primary focus on benefiting the people. By implementing these actions, China and African countries are expected to lead the modernization of the Global South.

China and Africa: One Belt, One Road

China’s approach is notable for blending poetic imagery and philosophical principles with concrete, large-scale action.

The results of the China-Africa partnership are striking. For 15 consecutive years, China has been Africa’s largest trading partner. In just the past three years, Chinese companies have created more than 1.1 million jobs across the continent. Chinese-funded specialists are constructing roads, bridges, stadiums, and hospitals throughout Africa.

The 2024 report on the development of the Belt and Road Initiative between China and African countries highlights that this joint project has resulted in the construction of over 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 100,000 kilometers of highways, about 1,000 bridges, approximately 100 ports, 66,000 kilometers of power transmission lines, and 150,000 kilometers of backbone communication networks. Among the infrastructure built by Chinese experts are the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway, Kenya’s high-speed "National Gateway Road," National Highway No. 1 in Congo, the Marigina Hydroelectric Power Plant, the Djibraou Hydroelectric Plant in Equatorial Guinea, and much more. One of the most notable projects is the 600-kilometer Mombasa-Nairobi railway, which connects Kenya’s capital to the port infrastructure on the Indian Ocean coast.

But all of this is just the beginning. At the current Beijing Forum, Xi Jinping proposed a new investment program for Africa in the near future. Starting next year, the Chinese government is expected to open a financial support line for African countries worth 360 billion yuan ($50 billion). Xi also announced that China will implement a zero-tariff policy for all least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China, including 33 African nations.

Additionally, Xi outlined key initiatives such as the establishment of an industrial cooperation cycle with African countries, the creation of a zone for deepening economic and trade relations, the launch of the "African Center for Small and Medium Enterprises," and a plan to empower businesses. He also introduced a joint China-Africa Digital Technology Center. Special emphasis will be placed on communications and logistics within the global "One Belt, One Road" initiative, with 30 joint infrastructure projects set to be implemented in Africa in the near future, covering both maritime and land routes.

The summit in Beijing also announced plans to assist in the development of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Western jealousy

The rapid growth of China-Africa cooperation, along with the overall rise of the Global South, is undoubtedly causing frustration among the nations of the "Golden Billion." In 2023, trade between China and Africa reached $282.1 billion, setting a new record for the second year in a row. In contrast, the US trade volume with African countries last year was only $67 billion. It’s well-known that when global capital begins losing its markets, it becomes willing to take drastic measures. Today, the West is waging an aggressive campaign against China, ranging from media smear campaigns and accusations of "human rights violations" to harsh economic sanctions and provoking tensions over Taiwan.

Western propagandists tend to ignore the objective factors behind China’s successful development and its ability to invest in Africa on such a massive scale. These factors include the effective leadership of the Communist Party of China (which may no longer be building communism but is effectively managing a sovereign national economy), strong state regulation of the economy, and a respectful, non-neocolonial attitude toward African countries. Yet, even some Western observers have made interesting points. For instance, they’ve highlighted the words of former Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, who noted that negotiations for a contract with the World Bank took five years, while with the Chinese government, it took only three months.

Notably, China—despite being a state with a firm ideological stance—does not impose political conditions on the countries with which it partners economically. In the West, Beijing’s refusal to lecture its partners ideologically is viewed as a "cunning" Chinese tactic. But perhaps the real difference is that China, unlike the West, is not driven by a desire to exert political control over sovereign nations.

China’s paradoxical role in African trade

It’s a striking paradox: while the West prides itself on economic liberalism, it’s China, not the West, that has become the staunchest advocate of free trade with Africa. To date, China has eliminated tariffs on 98% of taxable goods for 27 of the continent’s least-developed countries, among other initiatives. In full alignment with the West's much-touted "green agenda," China is also supplying Africa with clean technologies—yet it faces accusations of "dumping" electric vehicles.

Of course, the situation is more complex. The West often criticizes China for insisting that Chinese companies are involved in contracts, often ensuring jobs for its own workers. Western media frequently raises the alarm about an alleged "debt trap" that Beijing is setting for African nations. China, however, dismisses this notion of "Chinese neocolonialism" in Africa as nonsense. Beijing counters with a question: Where are the US and Western countries when Africa needs funds for infrastructure, technological advancements, or disaster relief? While the West's support has often been absent, China is building roads, ports, and other infrastructure, offering interest-free loans, canceling some debts, and training talented African youth in science and technology.

It’s true that from 2000 to 2020, Africa’s external debt increased fivefold. After the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic downturn, many African nations have struggled to manage this debt. Today, an average of 17% of African GDP is spent on debt servicing—the highest level since 1999. However, China is not the continent’s largest creditor. Chinese loans account for only 12% of Africa’s commercial debt, with the majority owed to institutions like the World Bank and similar financial entities.

A shared destiny

Recently, there have been notable shifts in the structure of China-Africa cooperation. The focus has moved away from large-scale infrastructure projects like building railways, highways, and seaports, towards high-tech innovations such as 4G and 5G telecommunications networks, satellite communications, solar energy, electric vehicles, and more. One example is the Chinese company StarTimes, which has provided satellite TV to over 9,600 villages across 23 African countries.

During a 2022 visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Kenya, his Kenyan counterpart showcased an ancient coin discovered on Lamu Island. This coin dates back to the time when the fleet of Chinese explorer Zheng He sailed the Indian Ocean, suggesting that China-Kenya trade relations may be over 600 years old. In comparison, modern China-Africa relations have a history of around 70 years.

As China fought to break free from imperialist dependencies and centuries of stagnation, it began developing ties with African nations in the 1960s and 70s. At that time, this often involved spreading Mao Zedong’s ideology and supporting radical revolutionary groups opposing both the US and the Soviet Union. However, following China’s shift to a new economic policy, the situation changed. In 2000, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was established, marking a new era in these relations. Chinese investments, technology, and specialists began flowing into Africa. The only African country currently outside FOCAC is Eswatini, which does not maintain diplomatic relations with Beijing.

The China-Africa partnership is not only economically beneficial but also politically advantageous. Africa, with 54 of the 193 United Nations member states, plays a significant role in China's global strategy.

Undoubtedly, China’s successes in Africa will face increasing opposition from the West, which may manifest in both "cold" and "hot" forms of resistance. The peak of this confrontation could potentially involve a military crisis over Taiwan, while Africa might see a rise in terrorist threats. There will likely be an intensification of anti-China media campaigns, increased activities by pro-Western NGOs on the continent, and efforts to influence specific regimes and political forces within Africa.

However, China and Africa together boast a vast human resource of 2.8 billion people. Africa, rich in resources, holds 30% of the world’s mineral reserves. Combined with China's advanced technologies, this complementary partnership has the potential for immense impact. The ambitious goals announced at the recent China-Africa summit in Beijing are not just about initiating unprecedented modernization in the Global South but also about creating a new chapter in building a unified global community with a shared future for all humanity.