Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi began an African tour in Namibia on January 6, where he reaffirmed the importance of Sino-African friendship and China’s role as a trusted partner of the continent. This initiative, anchored in a 35-year-old diplomatic tradition, comes in a context of growing geopolitical rivalries between great powers on the African continent.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi began an African tour in Namibia on January 6, where he reaffirmed the importance of Sino-African friendship and China’s role as a trusted partner of the continent. © Reuters
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday praised the “old friendship” between Africa and his country, which he described as the continent’s “most reliable partner”, during a brief visit to Namibia, the first stage of an African tour. “It has been 35 years since China dedicated its first diplomatic visit of the year to Africa. It is a fine tradition and a distinctive feature of Chinese diplomacy, pursued without interruption or hesitation», declared the head of Chinese diplomacy, relayed by Agence France presse.
During a press conference in Windhoek, in the presence of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, elected future president of Namibia last December, Wang Yi insisted on the historic nature of the Sino-African relationship, evoking the struggles for independence African countries and current cooperation. “We cherish this ancient friendship, whether it is the struggles for independence or the mutually beneficial cooperation we pursue today“, he said.
This visit comes in a context where China continues to consolidate its position as Africa’s leading trading partner. With bilateral trade reaching $167.8 billion in the first half of 2024, Beijing maintains its role as the continent’s economic engine.
-Beyond trade, China has invested heavily in African infrastructure development, financing projects such as roads, bridges, dams and ports. However, these loans have also fueled debates on the overindebtedness of several African countries. “China is the most reliable partner of African countries in their quest for development, as well as their strongest support in the international arena”, Wang Yi boasted.
A context of geopolitical rivalries
This tour comes as major powers are increasing their efforts to strengthen their influence in Africa. At the beginning of December, American President Joe Biden visited Angola to promote Washington’s ambitions on the continent, in the face of China’s massive economic presence.
For Beijing, this diplomatic tour is an opportunity to reaffirm its strategic role in Africa. After Namibia, Wang Yi must continue his tour in Congo, Chad and Nigeria. These visits highlight China’s diplomatic and economic priorities in Africa, while underscoring its commitment to supporting the continent’s development.
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