Notwithstanding the increase of trade between China and the African Union countries in the last decade, and the large number of Chinese investments in Africa, these relations are mostly to the advantage of the Chinese and their interests. China, trying to project its growing economic power, is mostly looking at African countries as low-cost opportunities for natural resources. In African countries challenged with corruption, conflicts, and weak leadership, these relations are viewed as a cause for concern by many.
The modern relations between China and Africa started developing during the second half of the 20th century and expanded significantly in the 1970s. What started out as a diplomatic relationship has developed into today’s multidimensional political, cultural and, above all, economic relations.
The growing importance of African resources and the African consumption market has shaped the Chinese attitude towards the continent. The rapid economic development China has experienced in the last four decades has shaped its appetite for foreign investment and political power in the world in general and specifically in Africa. Building on its historical ties with the African continent, China has increased its total trade with Africa from only $12 million in the 1950s to almost $200 billion in 2012. According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, China invested $2.1 billion in Africa in 2010. The Chinese Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Africa amounted to 3% of the total Chinese FDI in 2011. Chinese companies have invested in various sectors including infrastructure, electronics, telecommunications and transportation.
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The nature of this relationship makes it mandatory for the Chinese government to reconsider its African policy if it wants to maintain good relations with the people in Africa. If Africa keeps playing the role of the receiver of Chinese investments and goods, African people will erupt and threaten the future of the Chinese interests in the continent.
The Chinese government revisited its Africa policies in 2006 with the development of China’s African Policy Paper. According to this paper, the general principles and objectives of China’s African Policy are:
* Sincerity, friendship and equality
* Mutual benefit, reciprocity and common prosperity
* Mutual support and close coordination
* Learning from each other and seeking common development
Based on these principles, China attempts to build a new framework for the China-African relations by drawing on its commitment to peaceful relations with Africa, support for political, economic and social development in Africa, and strengthened cooperation between China and Africa. It also expresses an interest in broadening the diplomatic relations with the African continent aiming to support and reinforce both their positions in the international community. In addition, China seems willing to increase its unofficial “people-to-people” ties with Africa through education and scientific and cultural exchange. These policy principles reflect a Chinese understanding for the challenges it is facing in the African continent today and draw a Chinese vision for the future of the relations between the two.
The institutionalisation of these principles and the mechanism for their achievement is the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The Forum was established in 2000 and functions as a mechanism for China to deliver its foreign policy in Africa. With more than 50 African country members, FOCAC plays a significant role in China’s realisation of its vision for future relations between China and Africa. During the last summit held in Beijing on the theme to “build on past achievements and open up new prospects for the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership”, the two sides agreed on a new Action Plan for 2013-2015 that is more strategic and interdependent. The plan was set to foster the interests of both China and Africa based on the achievement of the previous meetings. Through this plan, China is urging the Africans, peoples and governments, to strive for more interdependent relations.
There are many themes within this plan. The focus on security represents a Chinese concern for stability on the African continent and underlines the increased importance of African countries to provide resources for their own security. This action raises the question of the nature of the Chinese influence in the continent and might redirect China from being a peaceful friendly power of Africa to a more imperialistic power.
Economically, China shows a certain level of commitment to developing African economy by encouraging Africa to trade with China and provide investment opportunities through the China-Africa Development Fund. Remarkably, China is focusing on developing the agricultural sector in Africa by increasing its financial support and by providing training programmes. It is important for the African countries that suffer from food scarcity to be able to improve their agricultural production, as this will significantly improve the continent’s self-sufficiency; and hence, create better interdependent relations between China and Africa.
Additionally, the Chinese are working to ensure better people-people relations. If China and Africa succeed in establishing such foundations of people-people friendly relations, they will be able to boost the level of African peoples’ satisfaction and grow more sustainable relations between them.
Despite efforts to enhance relations between Africa and China, and make the relationship more interdependent, it can be observed that it is still a one-way street. It is important for both China and Africa to establish a framework of cooperation where both parties are equally benefitting and sharing common interests. Otherwise, China is risking its interests in the continent and people protesting against its “unfair and unequal” position in their countries. It will also jeopardise its vision as a peaceful power which will negatively affect its development agenda. If China were to be perceived as a hardcore economic power that uses force to protect its agenda, it would not be long before the Chinese presence on the African continent was threatened. China should instead be assisting the Africans in their pursuit of modernisation, not extract the natural resources and leave the area with malfunctioning aid and development programs. China’s concern should be building longstanding sustainable partnerships with African countries, not becoming a dominating power whose main objective is to rob the continent from its wealthy natural resources.
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