FM kicks off Africa visit in new year for 31 straight years

Following a tradition of China’s foreign ministers making Africa their first destination in the new year, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi kicked off his official visit to five African countries – Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Botswana and Seychelles – on Monday, showcasing an unshakable China- Africa friendship in the post- COVID era under increasing world turbulence, and marking a new beginning in the next 10 years on the “Promised Land.”

As the COVID- 19 rages globally and Africa recently saw a new virus strain from its south, which scientists said will accelerate the spread of the coronavirus, Wang has remained committed to a diplomatic tradition to visit Africa, which observers believe truly demonstrates what the old Chinese saying “a friend in need is a friend indeed” means.

“Among all the powers, only Chinese foreign ministers have chosen Africa as their first destination at the beginning of each year for 31 years, which shows the great importance China has attached to friendships with African countries,” Liu Guijin, former Chinese Government’s Special Representative for African Affairs, told the Global Times on Monday.

Ovigwe Eguegu, a Nigerian policy advisor at Beijing- based consultancy Development Reimagined and co- founder of think tank Afripolitika, told the Global Times that “there is no other nation in the world that has

shown willingness for such consistent diplomatic engagement with Africa… It feeds the perception among Africans that China makes Africa a priority, the way other partners don’t.”

Dismiss misunderstandings

Before Wang’s African tour, some media gave their understanding of the choices for the five countries in 2021.

Others suspected that the visit to Seychelles might be related to the reported military base on the Seychelles, although China had already denied such plan in early 2011.

Analysts warned some Western media and politicians to stop raking up the past to drive a wedge between China and Africa.

Liu Haifang, executive director of the Beijingbased Center for African Studies and associate professor at the School of International Studies of Peking University, believes the five countries are representatives of the five parts of the African continent and choosing them is an extension of China’s policies on cooperation with the continent. It has nothing to do with seeking military interests, repairing ties with the selected countries, or giving a snub to others, Liu said.

It is true that some Chinese companies’ projects in Africa have faced obstacles with some being suspended or canceled, but the big picture is that China has built more than 1,000 projects for Africa without attaching any political conditions, including over 6,000 kilometers of railways and the same mileage of roads, nearly 20 ports and over 80 large- scale power plants, said He Wenping, a senior research fellow of the Institute of West- Asian and African Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Land of hope

“Every time before a senior Chinese official visits African countries, there will be some Western media judging us with bias and double standards. People in Africa enjoy and know the benefits brought about by China- Africa cooperation, and some small frictions would not alter the historical trend,” said Liu Guijin.

Unlike the West, who gave no upbeat tones of Africa’s development to serve their own purpose, China’s attitude toward Africa is consistent and firm – China always sees Africa as the land of hope, promotes trade and people exchanges, and works with African people, Liu noted.

An improvement on food and living, a feeling of being respected and a change in mind- set – happiness is created by hard work – these are what China has brought to Africa over the past years in He’s eyes through several field investigations. To Liu Haifeng, Africa is also a valuable drill ground for Chinese companies to get familiar with international rules and be more prepared for any fines or sanctions imposed by Western hegemony. “The mutual trust built over the past years offers a precious chance for Chinese companies to grow up fast.”

“Through security cooperation, China could provide Africa solutions to knotty problems,” Liu Haifeng said, “The continent is a platform for China to showcase its responsibility as a big power.”

Chinese analysts believe that there are great potentials for China and Africa to create more hope in the next decade. Apart from traditional cooperation, China could focus more on new infrastructure construction in Africa.