-Analysis-
PARIS — The family photo is spectacular. It was taken at Great Hall of the People at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. In the background, a mural depicts the Great Wall, built to keep the barbarians out of China. And in front of this painting, the leaders of 50 African countries, surrounding Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan.
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That was on Wednesday in Beijing, where the 9th Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is being held until Friday — a key instrument of influence to which China attaches great importance. For the past two days, the entire front page of the People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, has been devoted to this summit.
On Thursday, Xi promised 360 billion yuan (more than $50 billion) in financial support to Africa over the next three years and the creation of “at least 1 million jobs.”
Xi granted bilateral talks to the main heads of state, and relations with several countries, such as Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, were elevated to the rank of “strategic partnership.” This interest reflects more than 20 years of Chinese diplomacy in Africa, which have made Beijing the continent’s leading partner, ahead of the former colonial powers and all those who are now courting Africans — the United States, Turkey, India and Iran.
China-Africa relations
Initially, China arrived with a huge checkbook. Billions were poured into building roads, railroads and stadiums, investing in the mining sector and hundreds of thousands of Chinese settled on the continent. This is the essence of the New Silk Roads project, China’s diplomacy of influence.
Yet 20 years on, all is not rosy. A certain disenchantment is perceptible, particularly on the issue of debt, which is undermining several African economies, such as those of Zambia and Kenya.
Beijing sees itself as the leader of this Global South.
The Sinophile euphoria of the early days has given way to a well-understood pragmatism, in which African leaders find much to their liking despite declining investment, due to the slowdown in the Chinese economy.
China promises to continue increasing imports from Africa, and practices non-interference in internal affairs, implying “not like those hypocritical Westerners.” A message received loud and clear on the continent.
Leading the Global South
China’s interest is twofold. It finds in Africa the raw materials and growth drivers its companies need. But it is also “buying” significant diplomatic influence at a time when the world order is being called into question.
In his talks with African leaders, Xi emphasizes the fact that China and Africa are the spearhead of the “Global South”, a concept with a vague outline, which separates the world into Westerners and non-Westerners. Beijing sees itself as the leader of this Global South, enabling it to tell the United States that its attempt to “contain” China is doomed to fail.
In Beijing, all African leaders express their “admiration” for Xi’s leadership, and their support for the “One China” policy toward Taiwan. It’s a good return on investment for a continent that the West has neglected for too long.
Africa is no longer “aligned” with China, but it refuses to “choose sides” if asked to do so in the new Cold War of the 21st century.
