China's Expanding Role in Africa

China, in its quest for a closer strategic partnership with Africa, has increasingly dynamic economic, political, and diplomatic activities on the continent. As demonstrated in the third Forum on China and Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in November 2006, the high-profile summit marked a historic moment in China- Africa relations. China's highest leadership actively espoused the summit's ambitious vision, which was enthusiastically embraced by a broad range of African leaders. Forty-eight African countries were present, including 43 heads of state. The Chinese push forward in Africa raises the promise of achieving future gains that benefit Africa in significant, constructive ways, raising hopes that China will seriously turn its attention to long-neglected areas such as infrastructure development and that its strategic approach will raise Africa’s status globally, intensify political and market competition, create promising new choices in external partnerships, strengthen African capacities to combat malaria and HIV/AIDS, and propel the continent’s economic growth, enabling African countries to better integrate with the global economy.

This report identifies six key factors that significantly undergird the Chinese approach:

1. China’s quest to build a strategic partnership with Africa fits squarely within Beijing's global foreign policy strategy and its vision of the evolving international system.

2. Chinese leaders and strategists believe China's historical experience and development model resonate powerfully with African counterparts, thereby creating a comparative advantage vis-a-vis the West.

3. China’s history of friendly, respectful, and helpful political linkages with Africa is thought to provide a durable foundation for a future strategic partnership.

4. China believes Africa is on the verge of a developmental takeoff.

5. China’s policymakers are confident that a state-centric approach to Africa will build strategically on Beijing's core strengths and align with the stated preferences of African countries.

6. Policymakers believe it is in China's interest to engage third parties on Africa, but cautiously, slowly, and with serious reservations.