China’s FM on ‘charm offensive’ in Africa amid changing geopolitical realities

China’s top diplomat has embarked on his traditional New Year tour of Africa that will take him to Namibia, the Republic of Congo, Chad, and Nigeria, aiming to further advance Beijing’s already sizable influence across the resource-rich continent amid dwindling Western influence.
The week-long tour by China’s foreign minister Wang Yi marks 35 consecutive years that the the China’s top diplomat has chosen Africa as the destination for his first overseas trip of the new year. In some analyses, experts contrast China’s steady presence in Africa with the less consistent approaches of Western nations. They note that while outgoing US president Joe Biden made only one visit to sub-Saharan Africa during his presidency, China consistently places the continent at the forefront of its diplomatic agenda. “China firmly believes that Africa has never been a forgotten continent, but rather a source of vitality and a land full of development potential,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson told the media.
Wang’s trip is widely seen as highlighting China’s efforts to provide financial support to Africa, aiming to have discussions on major economic partnerships, secure more critical mineral deals, and expand markets for its exports, including electric vehicles and solar panels. His stop in the Republic of Congo underscores Beijing’s commitment to fulfilling the $51 billion in financial aid pledged at last year’s summit. Wang’s visit to Chad, which coincides with France’s withdrawal of military forces from the country, is then widely seen as Beijing’s strategy to be more involved in solving pressing regional security issues. “China has been a reliable and stable partner for the new military juntas in the Sahel and West Africa,” says Eric Orlander, co-founder of the China-Global South Project. “For the French and US, who see a dilution of Western power in the region, China’s presence is seen as ‘controversial,’ but it’s a very different view from African perspectives.”