The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission has issued its annual report to Congress. The New York Analysis of Policy and Government will periodically present summaries of their work.
Over the last two decades, China has reinvigorated its longstanding ties to African countries, placing the continent squarely at the center of its ambitions to become a global political and economic leader. Beijing views Africa as a testing ground for the export of its political and economic model and believes that if more African countries emulate China’s system of governance, it will be easier for Beijing to advance its strategic objectives across the continent and globally. To this end, the Chinese government regularly hosts African political and military leaders for training sessions many of which stress the superiority of China’s autocratic governance model.
The CCP has used the influence it gains from its political engagement with African countries to enlist African support for its geopolitical objectives, diminishing the impact of U.S. diplomacy in African countries and in the international system.
Economics is a key pillar in Beijing’s Africa strategy, with China surpassing the United States as Africa’s largest trading partner in 2009 (see Figure 4). Today, China is also Africa’s largest bilateral creditor. Though China’s growing presence in African economies can bring much
needed infrastructure to many countries, the Chinese government’s lack of transparency, accountability, and adherence to global development standards raises concerns, including over its support for corruption and repression. Beijing’s increasing control over the supply of key African commodities such as cobalt could threaten U.S. access to inputs for emerging technologies. Additionally, China’s infrastructure financing often comes with requirements that Chinese firms complete the projects, depriving non-Chinese firms of important business opportunities in many African countries.
Key Findings
▶ Beijing has long viewed African countries as occupying a central position in its efforts to increase China’s global influence and revise the international order. Over the last two decades, and especially under General Secretary Xi’s leadership since 2012, Beijing has launched new initiatives to transform Africa into a testing ground for the export of its governance system of state-led economic growth under one
party, authoritarian rule.
One key reason Zeihan remains bullish for the U.S. economically, why would we allow people from a variety of backgrounds to experience sexually satisfying lives. buy cialis We hope that this effort is taken seriously, as now is the time for change, and not just in this country, but also all over the world. viagra best buy And so I go about this article as I search for answers buy viagra without to my questions. Nonetheless, several doctors discovered super generic viagra that its side effects include headache, indigestion, back pain, muscle aches, flushing, and stuffy or runny nose.▶ Beijing uses its influence in Africa to gain preferential access to Africa’s natural resources, open up markets for Chinese exports, and enlist African support for Chinese diplomatic priorities on and beyond the continent. The CCP flexibly tailors its approach to different African countries with the goal of instilling admiration and at times emulation
Chinese loans also risk creating an unsustainable debt burden in some African countries, which may leave them vulnerable to Chinese government coercion. Separately, the United States and other responsible lenders might end up shouldering an outsized burden in debt relief efforts, essentially bailing out Beijing’s irresponsible lending practices. While commodities and infrastructure continue to dominate China-Africa economic relations, China has also focused increasing attention on Africa’s emerging digital economy. Chinese firms already dominate Africa’s mobile phone handset market and have made increasing investments in its venture capital market, providing China with opportunities to set emerging technological standards in Africa.
Although China seeks to minimize its visible military presence on the continent, it nonetheless employs a multidimensional approach to security engagement with African countries that supports its political, economic, and military interests Beijing primarily relies on private military contractors and African partners to protect its investments, and there is evidence it has shown a willingness to leverage its influence in the UN peacekeeping operations system to advance its economic goals in Africa. China’s permanent military base in Djibouti improves its ability to deploy and sustain troops on the continent, while substantial investments in civilian ports could lead to dual-use arrangements.
▶ As the top bilateral financier of infrastructure projects across Africa, China plays an important role in addressing the shortage of infrastructure on the continent. China’s financing is opaque and often comes with onerous terms, however, leading to rising concerns of economic exploitation, dependency, and political coercion. Many African countries borrowing from Beijing face growing debt burdens.
▶ China has shown an apparent willingness to leverage its influence in the UN peacekeeping operations system to advance its economic interests in African countries, raising the possibility that Beijing is subverting UN norms and procedures in the process. Beijing also relies on the assistance of African partners and private security contractors to advance its economic objectives on the continent.
▶ China’s approach to security engagement allows Beijing to expand its influence in Africa’s security domain while minimizing its visible military presence outside of its UN peacekeeping operations contributions. As Beijing’s economic and political influence on the continent grows, it might leverage its security ties to establish another base in the medium to long term, as it did in Djibouti.
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