Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister visits Africa

Context (TH): The Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister visited Egypt, Tunisia, Togo and the Ivory Coast.

Objectives of visit

China-Africa Leaders Dialogue implementation, which includes support for Africa’s industrialisation, agricultural modernisation, and cooperation on talent development.
Crucial for the agenda of the upcoming ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

In 2000, the FOCAC held its first dialogue, aiming to consolidate China-Africa cooperation under diplomacy, investment, and trade.

China supported several African liberation movements during the Cold War era.
In the 70s, African countries supported China’s permanent seat bid in the UN Security Council.
Go Out Policy: China encouraged its companies to invest in Africa.
In 2013, China and 52 African countries signed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) agreements.
Raw Material Export: Africa’s largest trading partner & destination of one-fourth of its raw material.
Strategic investor: The Chinese Navy stationed its first international base in Djibouti.

Natural Resources: Africa supplies 90% of the world’s cobalt and platinum and 75% of coltan, which is essential for electronics, with China having large refineries in Africa.
African alliance and geopolitics: Africa is the largest block in UNGA and a potential supporter of contentious issues of China.
One China Policy: Africa has supported the “One China Policy” in Taiwan and Hong Kong issues.
Renminbi (Yuan) acceptance: With “Yuan-based panda bonds” and “debt restructuring”, China is trying to push the Yuan as an alternative to the dollar.
African market: Africa’s young population and cheap labour force support Chinese exports.

Financial Support: It receives investment, trade and development aid from China.
Agriculture sector: Chinese support for hybrid crops helped Africa further its agricultural sector.
Infrastructure: Chinese-built infrastructure and industrial parks generated employment opportunities, furthering the idea of “Made in Africa”.
No conditionality: No conditionality on Chinese developmental aid (unlike the West) serves African authoritarian interests