Introduction
Africa and the US had close ties for decades, particularly from the 1950s to the late 1990s, mainly due to the Cold War and the transitional period (Stith para 3). The relations were cemented with bilateral trade interactions and suitable diplomatic ties, which saw the transfer of resources and human capital across the two continents. However, in the recent past, the strong relationship and partnership have suffered tremendously owing to China’s emergence, which has steadily and sustainably dethroned the US and become a closer ally to Africa than the West.
Even though China-Africa relations date back to the late 1950s when Sino-African ties were established, the relationship has become stronger and more robust in recent years, increasing by about 700% in the last three decades, particularly with the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2006 (Vines & Wallace, 2023). China is currently the largest two-way African trading partner, estimated at $254 billion in 2021, while also the most significant foreign direct investor, pushing hundreds of thousands of African jobs (Vines & Wallace para 5). Therefore, this essay assesses the factors that have led to this sudden shift in strengthened China-Africa relations and consequently contributed to the decline in US-Africa relations.
Factors That Have Led to the Change in Alliance from the United States to China
Primarily, Africa-China relations have blossomed because of increased economic focus from China. Statistics show that Chinese foreign direct investments from 2001 to 2018 were upwards of $41 billion. The country loaned Africa about $126 billion across the same period, with investment hitting $4.99 billion in 2021 alone (Jones et al. para 3).
Additionally, China has taken a strong stance on infrastructure investment with heavy contributions to power plants, bridges, and roads in Africa. These have been facilitated mainly through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which looks to connect Asia, Europe, and Africa through vast trade and investment. In fact, between 2007 and 2020, the country’s two central overseas development banks put $23 billion in infrastructural projects on the continent (Jones et al. para 4).
This was about $8 billion more than the other leading eight lenders combined, including US and European development banks, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank (Jones et al., para 5). With such significant cash flowing from China to Africa, either through loans or development, it has gained the trust and respect of most African countries, tilting the alliance in its favor through such solid financial input.
China has also shown a significant economic focus on African resources and has become a leading trade partner with many African nations, with bilateral trade between Africa and China hitting $208 billion in 2019 (Vines & Wallace para 3). In 2021, Angola, South Africa, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo collectively accounted for about 71% of all exports to China (Jones et al. para 5). China has mainly focused on importing crude oil, agricultural products, minerals, and metals.
Africa also draws most of its finished product supplies from China, including electronics and textiles. The increasing value of bilateral trade between the two countries has strengthened China’s position as Africa’s largest trading partner. The most significant contribution has been the continued increase in Imports from China into the continent. The importation, estimated to have grown by 400% over the past five years, has been attributed to the continued focus of China on Africa’s economy, including its overall position and role in global supply chains (Vines & Wallace para 5). This has been a critical success factor in the relations.
However, the US has limited its economic relationship with Africa. The decline has come as no surprise as its focus has shifted from economics, substantially affecting its relations with Africa. Besides, the US has been more interested in development assistance than actively investing in infrastructure projects (Stith para 4). This is why, despite being a significant trading partner to some African nations, its overall trade with Africa is incomparable to China’s due to its differentiated financial focus.
Besides, the economic relationships between the two have not been as focused as desired due to strained political and security issues, making Africa shift its allegiance to China, where it feels better accommodated. With such huge investments and continued economic focus, China continues to create a strong foundation for the relationship between the two regions. Such economic ties mutually benefit both sides, with African countries benefiting from Chinese investment in infrastructure and trade, and China benefiting from access to African markets and natural resources (Stith para 5). Mutual economic benefits have been vital in building trust and stability in the relationship between China and Africa.
Lack of Political Conditionality
The robustness of China-Africa relations and interactions has also been attributed to the lack of political conditionality. Political conditionality refers to using conditions that provide certain benefits, such as bilateral aid, debt relief, or loans (Bodomo 117). It is often equated to an attempt by donor governments to force recipient governments to alter some of their behaviors and policies and direct how the aid is used, including the nature of the assistance in the country’s governance. This has been viewed by many as a modern form of colonialism, which most countries are uncomfortable with. However, for China and Africa, this has never been an issue.
The Chinese lack of political conditionality has been a critical factor in the flourishing of China-Africa relations in recent years compared to US-Africa relations. Unlike the Western world, Asian countries have, over the years, not tied their aid and investments to any political conditions, such as promoting democracy and human rights. As such, it has continued to provide development assistance and loans without requiring them to make political reforms or specific governance alterations. This has made it easier for African countries to consider it for aid or collaboration as they are treated as independent nations by China, which can make their own decisions and govern themselves without external interference (Bodomo 121). This has made China a more attractive partner for most African countries, especially as the dislike for Western political influence grows.
However, the US has often tied its aid and investment in Africa to political conditions, which have, over time, strained relations and partnerships as tensions continually rise. For instance, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a US government aid agency, provides aid to countries that score high on its “compact eligibility criteria,” which include measures of good governance, economic freedom, and investments in health and education (Hackenesch para 6).
Additionally, over the years, the US has overstepped its political influence to enforce political reforms in African countries, pressuring autocratic leaders to resign and, in certain instances, even supporting the opposition in elections. Further, its aid has also been linked to cooperation in fighting terrorism, mainly by helping countries in the Sahel region to counter terrorism and extremism (Hackenesch para 6). Such continued interference has led to friction between the two, with most African countries feeling the heat of reduced autonomy.
Besides, the conditions have also led to heightened mismanagement and corruption. In essence, it reduced the desired impact of aid money compared to what is provided by China, making the US a less attractive partner as African countries and their leaders strive to preserve their sovereignty. As such, trust between Africa and China and the closeness of their relations have flourished as the lack of political conditionality continuously creates greater flexibility and independence for the countries.
Political Support
Over the years, China has provided political support to Africa. The consent can be traced back to the 1960s when diplomatic relationships with various African nations were established (Vines & Wallace para 6). Later, in the 1960s and the 1970s, it was among Africa’s most significant supporters of the decolonization process (Vines & Wallace para 7).
It has always been a critical pivot to ensure that African countries are integrated, participate in international organizations, and advocate for their rights and interests. The hallmark of its political support intensified in the 200s when it facilitated the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) establishment in 2000 (Stith para 6). This platform allowed regular political, economic, and social dialogue between China and African countries.
More recently, China has been very local in its support to Africa in the U.N. It particularly called for the international body to put its resources behind capacity-building and to restore peace and security in Africa. Additionally, China has consistently supported African nations in multinational organizations by continuously siding with them on various issues, including human rights and development.
It has also provided security and military assistance to certain African nations, ensuring that regional security issues are addressed effectively in Africa (Kamoche et al. 450). Most impressively, China has invested heavily in reshaping global institutions and norms to ensure they are more accommodating to all and reflective of international interests. As such, through and through, China’s support has been unquestionable, with unwavering loyalty to all the needs of African countries regarding the political side of things.
However, the US’s political support has been rather complex, with help only on specific issues and criticisms on other pivotal areas. This has often led to tensions and friction as Africa looks to stabilize itself politically. In contrast, the US looks to control certain political aspects of how countries operate. This has been a significant reason for tensions between the US and Africa as one strives for independence and the other for control (Jones et al. para 7).
The different political interests have played in China’s favor, and it has capitalized on them, leading to increased cooperation between the two regions. Besides, the healthy political associations and solid political understanding between them have also advanced security and economic ties. Even though most Western countries have questioned China’s political support, the assistance continues to grow in Africa, and both regions continue to build a stronger alliance.
Cultural Exchange
The tremendous growth in China-Africa relations in recent years has also been attributed to growing cultural exchanges between the two countries. Primarily, evidence shows that the frequency of visits between Africa and China in the recent past has hit an all-time high, with culture being at the center of the visits (Gan 265). China has also been critical of the visits as it has voluntarily provided funding to ensure the delegations visiting either region get the best cultural experience over the years. The visits have ensured that the relationship is strengthened over the years as Africa continuously gets to understand China and its practices, and vice versa. Additionally, Africa and China have been at the forefront of organizing cultural festivals that promote the diversity and uniqueness of cultural traditions drawn from the two areas (Gan 268).
This has witnessed many performing troupes taking hundreds of trips, with Africa hosting artistic companies such as the Wuhan Acrobatic Troupe, the National Ballet of China, the Dalian Art Ensemble, and the China Oriental Song and Dance Ensemble. On the other side, African cultural troupes hosted in China include the Namibian Art Ensemble, the National Dance Ensemble of the Republic of Congo, and the Egyptian Folk-art Ensemble, to mention a few (Gan 271). The annual China-Africa Cultural Festival has been held since 2018, providing a hallmark of proper relations between the two at diplomatic, political, and cultural levels as musicians, artists, and performers from both countries join forces to celebrate cultural heritage.
Evidence of growing cultural exchanges has also been linked to high-level artistic talks, providing healthier and more robust relations between the two regions. The scale of the deals has had an upward spiral with more quality content over the years. For instance, there was the Chinese Painting and Sculpture Exhibition in Egypt and the Comprehensive Exhibition of African Arts in China. The displays also provided excellent explication of contemporary and traditional art from the two, with music concerts and theater performances also being part of the exhibitions. Over the years, these have ensured a deepened mutual understanding and growing appreciation for each other’s cultures (Ofosu & Sarpong 139).
Besides, the two regions have also engaged actively in film collaborations, co-producing content that depicts their cultural traditions and values. Evidence of this is traced back to the China-Africa Film Festival held in 2019, where over 100 films were showcased from the two regions (Gan 278). These have seen a broadened scope in their partnerships, which has tightened their ties as they continuously strengthen their connections.
Most African countries have praised China for ensuring its language and culture are well-promoted and understood by African governments. This has established over 60 Confucius Institutes in Africa (Gan 279). Over the years, the institutions have focused on providing cultural exchange programs and language classes to foster heightened appreciation and understanding between the two.
In line with this, China has also increased the number of scholarship programs for African students, allowing them to learn the Chinese language and experience its culture. Estimates show that in 2018 alone, thousands of scholars benefited from Africa through these scholarships to study in China (Ofosu & Sarpong 140). These have also ensured increased comfort and strength of relations between the two.
Contrarily, the US has had very little focus on cultural exchange with African countries. This has affected their relations as it has looked at opportunities to promote its culture over the years instead of finding ways to allow both cultures to integrate, interact, and understand each other from a cultural perspective (Jones et al. para 8). This has led to very few cultural exchange initiatives and programs between the two countries compared to China. As such, this is where China has distinguished itself from the US, showcasing its interest in the people and their diversity and allowing Africans to interact with their culture ever more closely for current and future partnerships.
Technical Assistance
Africa’s alliance change from the US to China has also been attributed to China’s proactiveness in providing technical assistance. Besides providing aid for infrastructural development, the Chinese government has also ensured that it allows professionals to steer these projects to their success. This has seen the involvement of various Chinese professional companies in the execution of multiple infrastructural developmental projects (Kamoche et al. 454). Such professionals have mentored and trained Africans to direct and manage massive projects by ensuring they understand the complex technical side of establishing durable and people-focused infrastructure.
China has also looked at opportunities to provide technical assistance for agricultural development in Africa. It has mainly ensured that farmers from Africa get the requisite training to understand better and more efficient ways of farming while also learning how to utilize more modern agricultural techniques and technologies (Ofosu & Sarpong 147). This has led to the increased adoption of China’s small household agricultural production model.
The model is founded on optimizing traditional indigenous knowledge with limited capital, labor, and machine investment. Besides, it also ensures that self-demand is prioritized. The qualities have been widely embraced across various African countries as they fit with the economic struggles of the continent compared to the agricultural development model provided by the West (Kamoche et al. 457). As such, the alternatives China has offered to Africa in agriculture have promoted increased cooperation.
Further, China still has advanced technical skills in Africa through healthcare. Over the years, it has looked at improving healthcare services on the continent. To achieve this, it has constantly provided intensive training and learning materials to medical professionals, ensuring that they serve their populations in the best way possible. Additionally, the Chinese government has also been responsible for establishing temporary and permanent medical clinics in Africa, like the China-Africa Friendship Hospital, which was developed in various African countries to heighten healthcare quality and ensure that it is affordable to the natives (Kamoche et al. 457).
China has also been a critical contributor to advanced medical equipment and supplies. These have ensured that Africans can get treatment within their country without traveling internationally. The kit has also been aligned with China’s technical assistance in promoting IT development through training and innovation enhancement in African IT professionals. This has facilitated the ease of transition to the digital world in Africa.
However, the US has had little to do with the continent’s technical assistance, with its interests mainly in humanitarian aid and development assistance. Even though the two have been most welcome in Africa, they have not had the same effect as China, which provides humanitarian and development aid and still focuses on technical assistance. Besides, the US has come under heavy criticism recently for taking the best brains from Africa to assist areas like medical care, which is heavily shorthanded. As such, instead of helping to bridge such gaps through technical assistance, it has created more problems, with an estimated healthcare shortage of 6.1 million workers expected in Africa by 2030, which will increase by 45% from 2013 (Kamoche et al. 461).
With these aspects in consideration, China has been considered a better friend as it has promoted capacity building in Africa and has ensured improvement in the quality of life of Africans through its technical assistance, which has efficiently and effectively addressed challenges in infrastructure over the years education and healthcare development.
Diplomatic Relations
China’s approach to diplomatic relations with Africa has also been a driver in cementing its closeness and partnership with Africa. The two areas have witnessed a range of high-level visits across the board. The visits have provided both regions with a perfect opportunity to dialogue and cooperate at length.
They have also offered good platforms for leaders from both areas to meet and discuss mutual interests and concerns (Vines & Wallace para 5). This ensures an ongoing relationship between the two, which is promoted by the constant physical interaction of their leaders. The approach has seen African leaders visit China almost annually. China’s leadership has also played its role in these visits as required. For instance, President Xi Jinping 2018 visited various African countries to promote diplomatic ties and deepen their relations. These visits ensure that the two regions grow their associations.
Additionally, diplomatic missions have been key in ensuring that the growing diplomatic relations lead to strengthened ties. Essentially, China has established embassies in over 50 African countries. These have ensured that there is good cooperation and communication between the countries.
Besides, it has led to an elevated appreciation of the efforts by both countries to influence each other from within each other’s boundaries positively. This is why several African countries have also ensured they have active Chinese embassies (Vines & Wallace para 3). Moreover, the embassies have led to the growth of social, political, and cultural relationships while ensuring that Africans working, traveling, or living in China are well served. Chinese in Africa also get the same help with proper administration and effective handling of emergencies by the embassies.
Bilateral agreements and joint communiqués have also furthered diplomatic relations. Primarily, various bilateral agreements have been signed between China and Africa, with several other bilateral talks in progress likely to lead to more deals. These agreements have provided a foundation for the legal framework in the relationship between the two regimes as they cover sector-wide areas, including cultural exchange, trade, infrastructural development, and investment. Joint communiqués have also been issued from the two regions, which have been pivotal in emphasizing and clarifying the nature and importance of the growing relationship (Vines & Wallace para 6). The communiqués have continuously led to the provision of a unified and apparent vision for the upcoming China-Africa relations.
However, the US’s diplomacy in Africa has been viewed as vested in military and security intervention rather than collaboration and dialogue. This has been interpreted from the limited visits by US presidents to Africa over the years, with African leaders making the journey to the West most of the time (Gyimah-Boadi et al. para 4). As such, with its diplomatic relations with Africa pinned on the values of human rights, good governance, and democracy rather than actual relationships, US-Africa relations have taken a heavy hit as African countries continually strive for independence and treatment as equals. With this, it has been easy for China to overtake it in these relations as its framework of diplomatic ties is more appealing and guarantees stability, trust, and long-term success with an assurance of friendship and continuous collaboration.
Ideological Alignment
Ideological alignment is all about shared values and beliefs. China and Africa have, in the recent past, benefited greatly from such alignment as they look to evolve their relationships. Primarily, the two regions have a shared development vision. This has been the foundation for the nature of relationships.
It has been a critical step in ensuring mutual trust and understanding with the utmost national interest promotion (Kamoche et al. 449). This has been guided predominantly by their constant belief in cooperation and self-reliance as the two look to stabilize their strength in the global marketplace on a grander scale. Besides, over the years, China and Africa have held a strong position on non-interference, which has helped to push their relations even further.
Additionally, the two have a shared interest in ensuring the development of South-South Cooperation and the rejection of Western institutional globalization. South-South cooperation is a manifestation of solidarity among South nations to ensure that these developing nations experience technical cooperation to contribute to their self-reliance, well-being, and the structuring of global social development objectives.
With the cooperation looking to benefit African countries, they have put their support behind it, and this has been complemented by continuous support from China. Besides, the two are against the growing scale of Western globalization as they look to influence their growth and development from an individualized perspective (Kamoche et al. 461). As such, they have established common ground, ensuring support for each other and unending international cooperation.
Additionally, China-Africa relations have been bolstered by the continuous commitment of both countries to security, peace, and cultural diversity recognition. Essentially, they have organized each other’s operations to ensure that resolution is sought through peaceful and diplomatic pathways whenever a conflict arises (Kamoche et al. 456). This has provided continuous stability in both regions. Additionally, the constant value both have placed on appreciating culture has strengthened their ties in line with their ideologies. This has seen both nations transitioning to active cultural exchanges and supporting each other culturally through exchange programs.
The US has found itself mainly on the receiving end, which is in line with the ideological alignment. With its focus on globalization and implementing the Western way of operationalization, it has faced much resistance from Africa and China concerning some of these ideologies. This has strengthened China-Africa ties as the US is seen as a common enemy in this context (Hackenesch para 6). As such, through its relations with China, Africa has contributed to the dominance of China in the region, eventually limiting the political and economic presence of the US.
Growing Interdependence
With all these other aspects, a final factor that has emerged from them is the growing interdependence between the two regions. With the two having political, economic, and cultural ties at an all-time high, they have found themselves in a position where one cannot operate efficiently without the other. This is seen in the way Africa has become a great source of resources for China, while Africa is an essential market for most of China’s finished products (Ofosu & Sarpong 156).
The interdependence has been seen in the scope and nature of labor relations, wherein, due to high labor costs in China, some companies have been allowed to delocalize their operations to Africa, where labor is cheaper, consequently creating employment opportunities for most Africans. However, their interdependence greatly affected Africa’s interactions with the US, with the two increasingly aligned. It is increasingly felt that China is sufficiently and efficiently catering to its previously unmet needs when it was a close ally with the US.
Expected Negative Impact of Strengthened China-Africa Relations
Despite the growing relationship and partnership between China and Africa, projections show that Africa will likely suffer a wide range of consequences in the long run. Experts believe that the relationship between the two is structured to give China supremacy and power. Thus, when China eventually stops benefiting from Africa, the same things that flourish in their relationship will be the same ones that overburden the continent. Various arguments have, therefore, been presented to underpin the looming consequences that Africa will likely have to deal with.
Debt Dependence
The primary shortcoming that Africa can expect from its strong ties with China is debt dependence. This refers to the situation where a country cannot sustain itself from its revenue and, therefore, has to constantly rely on borrowing from external sources to execute its development projects and for economic growth.
China accounts for 12% of Africa’s total debt, equating to $700 billion (Miao et al. 3). This amount will likely double in the coming years as Africa expands operations and desires more money for development. However, the debts will probably pile up due to Africa’s poor economic policy. The continent will be unable to repay its debt due to unsustainable debt levels, and economic instability has created the same debt.
Besides, the sustainability of the debts is already questionable, and most countries will likely face debt distress. There are reports that China has plans to seize the Mombasa Port in Kenya due to the debt it is owed for the loan borrowed to construct the country’s standard gauge railway, which has, over time, not provided the desired returns to repay its loan itself (Nyabiage para 2). There are also cases of takeovers in Uganda and Zambia involving Entebbe International Airport and Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, all owing to the enormous foreign debt owed to China that the countries are yet to offset. With such concerns and seizures already being experienced, experts believe such distress risks are likely to worsen.
Most African countries will go bankrupt as China seizes assets that generate the most income. Apart from the issue of debt distress, debt dependence will also limit Africa’s ability to pursue and execute independent economic explorations, as the debt burden will make them susceptible to external economic shocks. In this regard, China may force them to request other loans, affecting economic growth and reducing government spending.
Imbalanced Trade Relations
Another consequence is that Africa will likely face an imbalance in trade relations. This is whereby there is a one-sided type of goods flow between trading countries, whereby the value of goods imported by one country to another far exceeds its exports. In contrast, its trading partner imports from it more than it exports. This is a classic case of China-Africa relations.
Over the years, China has focused on importing raw materials such as agricultural products, minerals, crude oil, and even metals. With this, China manufactures finished products such as electronics, appliances, textiles, and other technology, which it now exports to Africa (Miao et al. 3). This translates to a trade surplus in favor of the Chinese government. With the trade deficit, African countries also find themselves with no value-added production as the power and ability to process and manufacture their raw materials and capture the Chinese market are hindered, which reduces the total value of their exports.
As argued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), with data showing that in 2020 alone, China exported goods worth $103 billion to Africa, with Africa exporting goods valued at $38 billion (Miao et al. 4). This is the reality of the relationship. Africa is likely to face the negative side of interactions. Such trends will likely affect the industries and businesses in African countries due to elevated levels of competition from relatively cheaper Chinese goods. In the long run, Africa’s goods market will be dominated by products from China, with locally-made goods having no competitive edge.
Unfair Competition
Africa will also likely face the harsh realities of unfair competition from China soon. There is overwhelming evidence that Chinese companies and their products are displacing local businesses and industries, as most consumers prefer them due to their cheap nature. With some extremely low pricing, it is already difficult for local companies to compete (Ofosu & Sarpong 152). Things will likely worsen as China continually exerts its dominance on the continent. As such, reduced investment and job losses can be expected from these sectors as businesses and industries are likely to close operations due to the harsh market and lack of sales.
China has also been accused of using its dominance and debt financing to secure huge development contracts in Africa. Data from the European International Contractors shows that in 2018, China was responsible for 62% of the construction market in Africa (Miao et al. 5). This, therefore, means that the Africans who are qualified for such jobs were left out due to the unfair competition from China. Moreover, with such cases of unfairness, the quality of goods processed and manufactured locally can also be expected to decline as local industries take shortcuts to try to remain afloat.
Environmental Concerns
Africa is also likely to face specific environmental concerns as its relationship with China progresses. This is because China’s primary interest in the continent has been in the way of infrastructural development. Some of these massive projects interfere with the natural environment. They contribute significantly to problems such as deforestation on the continent, which is already negatively influencing the livelihoods of communities and natural ecosystems that depend on it entirely.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that Africa, between 1990 and 2020, lost over 10 million hectares of forest cover, which has already led to significant climate alterations in the continent (Ofosu & Sarpong 155). Some of these are attributed to developments by the Chinese.
It is also critical to note that over the years, Africa has been known for its wildlife, which has brought a lot of revenue through tourism. However, these environmental concerns are already interfering with nature, with some dying from hunger. Besides, there are cases of development projects by China passing through wildlife parks and reserves, like the case of the standard gauge railway in Kenya, which passed through two game parks (Ofosu & Sarpong 156). In the long run, the interference disrupts the natural cycle of the ecosystem, and thus, the number of tourists is also likely to decrease. As such, apart from the direct impact of the environmental alterations, there is still the indirect loss through reduced tourism and even loss of revenue from farming and other climate-dependent activities.
Lack of Transfer of Technology and Skills
There are concerns regarding China’s lack of technology and skills transfer to Africa. This is heavily presented in how China is concerned about resource extraction alone and goods production for export instead of looking at opportunities and ways of transferring skills and technology (Ofosu & Sarpong 159). Most Chinese firms have been accused of failing to train local workers to be self-reliant while importing many Chinese workers.
Statistics from UNCTAD show that China directed only 2% of its $26 billion foreign direct investment to technology transfer (Miao et al. 17). In the long run, Africa will likely remain shorthanded, and the over-dependence on China will continue. This issue is also likely to make African countries poorer, as the same debt they borrow to help their people ends up back in the Chinese market. These concerns cannot be ignored, as transferring skills and technology has been the key to successful international relations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, China has overtaken the US in terms of its African relationships and partnerships. Despite the history shared by the US and Africa, China has brought in specific measures and involved a wide range of economic, political, and social techniques such as economic focus and cooperation, lack of political conditionality, political support, cultural exchange, technical assistance, diplomatic relations, ideological alignment, and growing interdependence. These factors have ensured that China has successfully asserted its dominance on the African continent, and they have been vital in recent years to ensure that most African countries seek help from China instead of the US.
The US’s greatest undoing has been to overly focus on humanitarian aid, human rights, control, governance, and promotion of its culture instead of engaging in collaborative relations that lead to more sustainable outcomes and create a sense of mutuality rather than dependability. However, despite the current success that Africa enjoys from the relationship, it must stay aware of the looming consequences of the relationship in the long term. This includes unfair competition, debt dependence, lack of skills and technology transfer, environmental concerns, and imbalanced trade relations. These factors are likely to derail the progress of this great continent and lead it back to a modern form of colonialism executed by China. It is thus critical that African countries approach the partnership with utmost caution and negotiate terms that put the continent and its inhabitants in a position that ensures that their best interests are prioritized while mitigating these potential negative consequences of their strong relationship.
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