There are fears that escalating US-Chinese tensions could threaten the independence of African and other nonaligned nations.
The Africa Union’s military intervention capacity can benefit hugely from the experience and capabilities of China’s People’s Liberation Army.
EFE-EPA/Michael Reynoldss
Yu-Shan Wu, University of the Witwatersrand; Chris Alden, London School of Economics and Political Science, and Cobus van Staden, South African Institute of International Affairs
Not enough credit is given to the agency African governments have in their dealings with China.
US President Donald Trump after sacking Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
EPA-EFE/Shawn Thew
The African Union is changing the way it does business. Its new reforms, led by Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, call for fewer strategic priorities and addressing bureaucratic bottlenecks.
A stack of Southern Weekly newspapers (left) are displayed at a newsstand in Beijing,
Reuters
The Chinese government has an interest in presenting a positive narrative about Africa to its citizens. But the new commercial media is challenging this by prioritising sensational stories.
Americans’ ignorance about Africa persists despite efforts by presidents Kennedy and Obama to forge stronger ties with the continent.
Jason Reed/Reuters
The time has come for developed nations to eliminate the large pockets of ignorance which exist in their societies about Africa and other peoples. Globalisation demands that people think differently.
Tourists visit the Great Wall of China.The problem of racism in the country is bigger than that of Afrophobia.
Reuters/Stringer
Although ‘race’ as a biological category was discredited long ago, racial thinking or racialism is still common in China.
An example of the restoration of a degraded mountain slope in China. The country has numerous initiatives underway to battle climate change.
Anthony Mills
For the grand plans unveiled at the China-Africa summit to succeed, Africa will have to cooperate more extensively. The larger and more successful nations need to become sub-regional leaders.
Shanghai demonstrates how good planning can help Africa to develop successful special economic zones.
Shutterstock
China’s experience indicates that special economic zones can help countries in Africa attract foreign investors, diversify their economies and promote manufacturing.
Confucius Institutes offer China a chance to teach people around the world about the country’s language and culture.
Shutterstock
China’s Confucius Institutes given foreigners a chance to learn more about the country. Africa must be careful that its universities’ partnerships with Confucius Institutes don’t create dependency.
The Nairobi-Thika highway is being built by China Wuyi, Sinohydro and Shengeli Engineering Construction, and is funded by Kenya, China and the African Development Bank.
Reuters/Thomas Mukoya
China offers an alternative to traditional donors and investors in low- and middle-income countries. Adding to its appeal is its focus on infrastructure projects.