China Woos African Leaders, Pledges $50 Billion IN fuNDING

There is something significant behind China's efforts to woo African leaders and, ultimately, their people.

China, ahead of the United States, is actively working to sway African nations by pledging $50 billion in funding, including $30 billion in credit lines, $10 billion in investments by Chinese companies, and military aid—all aimed at supporting “modernization.”

In early September, more than 50 leaders of African nations were in the Chinese capital for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, a summit held every three years, alternating between China and Africa.

To win over African leaders, China adorned Tiananmen Square with flags of African nations and hosted multiple honor guard ceremonies, red carpet events, and performances. China is hailing this as the most significant diplomatic event since emerging from three years of pandemic isolation. Additionally, banners with slogans celebrating 'A Shared Future for China and Africa' have been placed around the city.

And all this for modernization.

“Modernization is an inalienable right of all countries,” Chinese President Xi Jinping said. “But the Western approach to it has inflicted immense sufferings on developing countries.”

And, Xi proposed “bilateral relations with all African countries that have diplomatic ties with China be upgraded to the “strategic” level, saying ‘the China-Africa relationship is now at its best in history.’”

The forum began in 2000, and it is an opportunity for China to strengthen its influence in Africa, potentially challenging the U.S.-led global order and reviving a slowing economy at home.

“It sends a powerful message of China and Africa working together for common development,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

This alliance includes every African state except Eswatini, one of the 12 remaining governments worldwide that maintains diplomatic ties with Taiwan—a self-governing island democracy Beijing claims as its territory, NBC News.

“For China, it is not about the reform of the international system in a way that is favorable to its interests,” director of the Africa program at London-based think tank Chatham House Alex Vines said. “And China should be credited for shaking the West out of its complacency related to its partnerships on the African continent.”

With its increasing population of 1.5 billion people and natural resources, Africa is imperative to the U.S., supposedly, and other global powers. But Africa has felt neglected by the leading economies.

“These challenges affect all nations but are more often felt on the African continent,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said.

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