Chinese leader Xi Jinping made preserving diplomatic ties in Africa a centrepiece of his opening address. Beijing faces a backlash among some Western democracies for its role in the coronavirus pandemic. Xi committed to helping 30 hospitals in Africa, setting up a pan-African health authority on the continent. He pledged to give $2 billion to the WHO over the next two years to assist developing economies.
No African head of state has yet publicly criticized China’s response to the virus. African ambassadors last month wrote a joint letter to Beijing demanding answers for mistreatment of African residents in China. More than 100 countries have called for an independent inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic. Xi’s speech made it clear how vital the support of African nations is to Beijing.
Key African economies including Kenya and South Africa have welcomed Chinese telecoms giant Huawei’s presence. China needs African partners to boost its image that China is not isolated or without any friends on the international arena. The U.S., in particular, pushes the narrative that Beijing is to blame for the spread of Covid-19. Beijing pushes the counter-narrative that after beating the virus it is now a leader in global health.
African Ministers asked the G20 for an urgent $100 billion package, including $44 billion of debt relief. China, which is believed to hold about a fifth of African debt, replied that it would act in line with other G20 nations. The biggest threat to relationship came in April when images started pouring out of Guangzhou of Africans newly homeless. Africans were evicted by landlords and turned away from hotels due to fears Africans were to blame for coronavirus outbreak. Nigeria government ministers have proposed retaliatory measures, such as investigating the legal status of all Chinese in that country.
China’s diplomatic ties with African nations stretch back to the mid-20th century. Beijing befriended newly independent countries as it tried to position itself as leader of the developing world. African countries supported China’s bid to expel Taiwan from the U.N. Security Council in 1971. In subsequent decades, African countries have continued to stand beside Beijing when it has faced criticism from the West. The countries have also supported the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing despite human rights concerns.
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Data Source: CNN Africa