Amid China’s economic downturn and the government’s call for drastic measures, including local authorities selling off assets, Beijing is gearing up for what it claims to be the largest-scale foreign diplomacy event, the “China-Africa Cooperation Forum Summit.” African leaders continue to seek financial support from the Chinese government, highlighting the controversial Belt and Road Initiative and the devaluation of the Chinese yuan that have raised concerns.
According to Chinese state media reports, the 2024 China-Africa Cooperation Forum Summit is scheduled to take place in Beijing from September 4 to 6. Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to deliver a speech at the opening ceremony on September 5. Presidents from various African countries, including Zambia and South Sudan, have reportedly begun to arrive in Beijing.
Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research deputy researcher Hongzijie told Dajiyuan that historical China-Africa cooperation forums have seen active participation from African leaders. China believes that maintaining friendly relations with African countries and exporting its political and economic influence to expand its international influence are necessary strategies.
Lai Rongwei, Executive Director of the Inspiration Association (TIA), expressed to Dajiyuan that China’s emphasis on such summits reflects its keen interest in Africa, following a long-standing approach akin to “surrounding the city by rural areas.” China aims to unite with less affluent countries worldwide to challenge Western democracies.
“African nations control vast mineral resources, such as cobalt in the Congo, which is crucial for China’s development of electric vehicles. Other countries possess oil, diamonds, and other resources that China can leverage. Additionally, Africa’s geopolitical influence over Europe and America makes it a coveted region for China,” Lai added.
Public reports indicate that China has dispatched hundreds of thousands of workers to participate in massive construction projects across Africa, tapping into the continent’s abundant natural resources, including copper, gold, lithium, and rare earth minerals.
Chinese state media proclaims that the summit’s theme revolves around “building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future,” focusing on future commercial cooperation.
The so-called cooperation between China and Africa has traditionally centered around geopolitics and financial matters, with African leaders often visiting China seeking financial assistance.
A Voice of America report on September 2 suggests that African leaders rushing to Beijing are seeking continued loans and investments from China.
For instance, a $5 billion railway project in Kenya funded by the Export-Import Bank of China had its second phase to Uganda halted due to both countries struggling to repay existing loans from the Belt and Road Initiative.
Kenya’s debt to China now exceeds $8 billion. The need to repay loans to international creditors, including China, has led to deadly protests in the country.
Analysts believe that this week in Beijing, African leaders will not only seek more loans from the Chinese government but also request more favorable repayment conditions.
Since Xi Jinping took office, criticism has mounted against China’s extravagant spending in Africa while dealing with domestic economic challenges, local financial difficulties, and mounting debt. Numerous local governments have set up task forces to handle the burden of debt, under the mandate from the central government of China.
As China’s economy continues to slow down, with commercial activities stagnating and local finances strained, will Beijing become less inclined to engage in lavish spending?
Despite worsening local financial deficits, China may still announce substantial aid and cooperation projects during the ongoing China-Africa Cooperation Forum, according to Hongzijie.
“Maintaining the image of a ‘great power willing to help’ is crucial in sustaining relations between China and African countries. However, the key lies in whether the aid provided by China will be effectively implemented, given numerous instances of China not fulfilling its promises in recent years,” he noted.
Lai Rongwei also highlighted that China’s authoritarian rulers prioritize policies that serve political interests rather than the well-being of society.
“Even with the dire socioeconomic situation, in Xi’s mindset, priorities lie elsewhere rather than addressing domestic challenges,” Lai remarked.
Under Xi Jinping’s leadership, Beijing has provided billions of dollars in loans to many African countries for infrastructure development, citing assistance but drawing criticism for potentially trapping aided nations in a “debt trap.”
External scrutiny labels China’s Belt and Road Initiative as a form of new colonialism. Many African nations lack democratic governance, with authoritarian regimes in power.
Lai explained that investments under the Belt and Road Initiative are often government-to-government transactions. Chinese state-owned enterprises invest in African infrastructure, leading to significant debts. Due to the lack of transparency, both civil society and the international community remain uninformed. China’s investments benefit its companies, causing corruption among local elites. The profits flow back to China, depriving local economies of growth, with the debt becoming unmanageable – a debt trap.
The United States has repeatedly cautioned Africa to resist China’s “malign influence.” In 2022, the White House accused Beijing of pursuing its narrow commercial and geopolitical interests in Africa, undermining transparency and openness.
Additionally, a report by the Atlantic Council, a US think tank, suggests that 795 Chinese government training programs indicate China is training authoritarian leaders worldwide.
Lai emphasized that China trains local rulers in Africa under party-to-party collaborations on reinforcing one-party control, imparting authoritarian governance practices to Africa, teaching them how to maintain social stability – akin to a training school concept.
“Therefore, the Belt and Road Initiative is what we call new colonialism. These African countries, despite nominal sovereignty, are economically and politically controlled by a hegemony,” Lai cautioned.
He stressed the need for the US to prioritize Africa, as the continent is rich in resources crucial for various industries, with its maritime proximity affecting global trade routes. Many African countries at the United Nations wield influence, forming a significant bloc. The US must inform the world through international channels of the detrimental actions China takes in Africa.