Royal University of Phnom Penh

Institute of Foreign Languages

Department of International Studies

IS 401: Foreign Policy

Lecturer: Samath Sambath Sreysour (SSS)

Topic:
Chinese Foreign Policy in Africa

Class: M4.1
Group 5 Members:
PREAP Chankrisna
SONN Chanborey
SRY Roza
THONG Chheangmeng
TUY Chanmonypech
UNG Kimhuor

Academic Year: 2018-2019

 Abstract

Within the competition of multipolarity world, China is seen as one of the competitor

states challenging others superpower with the intention of trying to assert their influences and

dominates the world. China unlike its past had now pushed forward to invest globally especially

the third world in every aspect. Despite Asia, the African continent had become another

primary region for China to inject and implement its desire. The foreign policy of the Chinese

government implemented mostly based on its national core values, its objectives and through

the instrumental rational mode of decision making. The research paper aims to illustrate the

Sino-African relations on three aspects that include political and ideologies, economic and

military aspects. After the end of the Cold war, the two continents seem to foster their relations

with one another which seem so extraordinary to others region. As Africa is the region which

is full of abundant resources yet still underdeveloped it does need support and aid from others

to develop its country thus this was seen as the chances for China to intervene and spread its

influence. With the initiative and the aid provides by China toward Africa, China seems to

gains lots of support from countries in this continent in the international arena. Not only does

this region have the resources that benefit China desire yet it also cast the voice for China in

the United Nations. On the land of Africa, China had utilized its best in using the resources,

strengthen and developing its military as well as gaining support. The paper will dig further on

what are the reasons that motivate the strong relationship between China and Africa and

analyze on the foreign policy framework by using the foreign policy instruments, foreign policy

context as well as state level of foreign policy analysis.

Table of Contents
Abstract ............................................................................................................................... 2
Chapter I Introduction ....................................................................................................... 4
1. Contextual Background ........................................................................................... 4
2. Research Questions .................................................................................................. 5
3. Significant of the study ............................................................................................. 5
4. Research Methodology ............................................................................................. 5
5. Report Structure....................................................................................................... 7
Chapter II Literature Review ............................................................................................. 8
Chapter III Policies contribute to Sino-African relations ............................................... 16
A. Political and ideology.............................................................................................. 16
B. Economy ................................................................................................................. 18
C. Military ................................................................................................................... 20
Chapter IV Conclusion ..................................................................................................... 23
References.......................................................................................................................... 24
 Chapter I Introduction

1. Contextual Background

Since 21st century, it is believed that China is rising to become as a global leader. There

are certain actions like the aggression from Chinese government in South China Sea, Belt and

Road Initiative and the strong ties between Chinese government and African governments.

Lately in 2018, China is committed to increase to 10 billion USD to fund the development aid

program in Africa, said President Xi during the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation, which

was hosted by Beijing government and composed of 53 out of 54 African nations to come and

talk regarding on Sino-African relations (Yun Sun, 2018). Taking FOCAC into account, we

can see good relations between Chinese government and African governments. Additionally,

Chinese government, during President Hu Jintao Administration, had successfully converted

the China-Africa Friendship to Sino-African Strategic Partnership in 2006 at the FOCAC

Submit in Beijing. Later on, we can see numerous heavy investments and collaboration

between the two. In order to understand this new type of relationship, we need to trace back to

the historical record which in 1950s, there were small amount of Chinese Project in Africa;

between 1970s to 1990s, there was an emergence of Chinese investors, so did the government

presence in Africa and the amount of investment jumped to 102 projects accounted for 51.19

million USD; later in 2000s, the involvements were active and the establishment on FOCAC

was a stepping stone between China and Africa to have a direct dialogue (SIIR, 2015). On the

one hand, China is playing a win-win strategy with African Nations. On the other hand, the

Chinese government is asserting its influence inside the country through diplomatic relations,

and economic and military cooperation.

Back to the early day, Chinese government funded few groups inside African nations

to take control over their countries back after those nations had been colonized by the Western

colonial masters. Chinese government conducted foreign policies such as non-intervention

policy and anti-colonial policy to support them. The policies invoked those governments to

stand strong and fight for independence especially not allowing any foreign nations to interfere

in the domestic politics and internal affairs. In exchange for them to support “One China

Policy”.

There are several aspects which push China to pursue not only a friendly relationship

but also strategic partnership with African governments such as politics, economy and military.

These aspects give China an upper hand for an absolute gain especially giving Chinese

government a positive image as a global leader.

2. Research Questions

The research study is designed to answer the following questions:

Main Research Question

What are the policies that President Xi Jinping contribute to Sino-African relationship?

Sub Research Questions

What are political ideologies that shape President Xi to strengthen Sino-African?

What are the economic policies initiated by Xi Jinping to develop the relationship?

How does President Xi use military to develop the relationship?

3. Significant of the study

The research study will contribute two important ways. First, it will explain the policies

which Chinese introduce through political, economy and military to have an absolute gain.

Second, it will be guideline for policy makers, especially Cambodian policy makers, who wish

to understand the reasons why China chose to pursue for strategic partnership in African

developing countries.

4. Research Methodology

4.1 Study design

 The nature of this research study is qualitative. Thus, with the goal to understand why

China establish the strategic partnership, retrospective approach will be deployed for the study.

Knowing the fact that President Xi came to power in 2013, the content analysis will be related

to the past events.

4.2 Data Collection

a. Primary data collection

The primary data will be based on interview with three DIS lecturers, who have

expertise in public policies, economy, and military affairs. The consent will be sought, and the

interview will be the semi-structure interview as it provides us flexibility in asking follow-up

in-depth questions. We will ask the interviewees permission to record their voice during the

interview. We will interview our interviewee one by one from 20 to 40 minutes, and voice

recording will be used if consented by the interviewees.

b. Secondary data collection

The study will also be based on secondary data. Documents such as official reports,

articles, news, journals, and publications from recognized and accredited organizations and

authors will be used. The journals and publications will be extracted from Al Jazeera, the

Brookings, Foreign Policy, Center for Strategic and International Studies and other well-known

institutions specialized in China studies. Moreover, news will take out from both local and

international news agencies like South China Morning Posts, China Daily, and other new

agencies which are accountable and credible.

4.3 Data Analysis

Because this study is in qualitative design, content analysis will be analyzed through

document content and interview. Regarding on the interview, we will transcribe it to answer

the research questions. Moreover, the secondary data such as articles, journals, news and

publications that are accredit will be used to answer the research questions.
 4.4 Scope and Limitations

There might be three limitations for our research study. First and foremost, due to time

constraint and availability of our interviewees, the collection of data through primary source

will not be available. As a result, this research study will be based exclusively on secondary

sources. Second, because the sources we use in secondary data collection are mostly written in

English by the Western news agencies and analysis, they might depict China in a hostile or

somehow bias way toward the West. Last but not least, the research study only on foreign

policy arena such as context and interest.

5. Report Structure

The paper is divided into four main chapters

Chapter I: Introduction

1. Contextual Background

2. Research questions

3. Significant of the study

4. Research of Methodology: study design, data collection, data analysis, and scope

and limitation

5. Report Structure

Chapter II: Literature Review

Chapter III: Finding and discussion

A. Political and ideologies

B. Economy

C. Military

Chapter IV: Conclusion

 Chapter II Literature Review

Numerous of studies have been conducted on the foreign relations between China and

African countries. The previous studies emphasized on specific aspects such as Sino African

relationship during in term of ideology and political, economy and military.

1. Sino-African relationship in term of ideology and political

To understand the Sino-African relationship, we should also understand the historical

context between Beijing and African leaders. To begin with, Chinese and African relations can

be traced back to the era when Premier Zhou Enlai visited African countries between 1963-

1964. The motives behind this was to spread Chinese ideology which to promote revolution,

anti-colonialism and Third World solidarity. The main assumption of this was to develop

friendly relationship with a political will to not intervein in domestic affair of African countries.

Significantly, Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) created in 2000, at Beijing, it was

a platform to strengthen the Sin-Africa relationship (SAIIA, 2015). With the framework of

FOCAC, Chinese main policy objective emphasis on the “win-win” approach. In addition,

President Xi has announced to provide $60 billion package including aid, loans and investment

to African countries (Marsh, 2018).

In accordance to the publication of How China-Africa relations have develop, the

author mentioned that China is willing to do this because she wants to uphold mutual respect

and promote equality to African leaders especially not interfering in the internal affair. One the

one hand, Chinese is playing as an optimistic player in a way which we mutually respect each

other sovereignty, not interfering domestic politics and have a win-win cooperation with each

other. On the other hand, the author also highlighted negative points such as Chinese

government want in return for them to strong support “One China” policy, thus ignoring and

avoiding criticism on Chinese internal affair such as human rights abuses and undemocratic

practices (Hanauer & Morris, 2014).

 Similar study conducted by the author of China’s expanding Africa relations, he

emphasized the relations in terms of political, economic and security factors (Thrall, 2015).

Firstly, he provided a brief guide about the history of Sino-African relations. Besides China’s

interest and strategic perceptions, there was also the discussion of the presence and behaviors

of China in the continent. Africa is politically important to China as some of the goals of China

are to internationally develop the positive image and influence. Rather than what others see

China’s growing relations in Africa as a means to keep the continent away from Taiwan, China

also wants to counter international norms that appear problematic and also strengthen its

economic partners’ political stability. Moreover, in terms of political relations, China built both

bilateral and multilateral relations, engaged diplomats, initiated soft power, captured the media,

and marginalized good image in African perception.

2. Sino-African relationship in term of economy

Similar working paper conducted by the author of China’s foreign policy in Africa, has

made a clear and comprehensive overview of the factors behind China and Africa relations.

Her study was in the center of not only economy where it seems to be China’s priority to

increase the nation’s wealth but also in terms of security, ideological and political dimensions.

For the purpose of its economic growth, China has seen African countries as a natural-resource-

rich location to expand its market activities, whereas security problems resulted from political

instability and criminal activities that stand as barriers to China’s commercial interests and

could threaten the safety of Chinese investment and personnel. Expanding the idea of China

Model in non-democratic African countries and making sure democracy of the west are not

prospering there, which could indirectly bring China support, China’s foreign policy can also

be justified by its ideological interests. Finally, China has always seen the benefit of its political

interest in African continent. It is where China can gather support for its One China’s Policy,

trying to isolate Taiwan from the continent, and it is also a part of China foreign policy on
multilateral forums in international arena such as the contribution to peacekeeping operation

in several African countries in United Nations to increase the potential of its role as one of the

permanent United Nations Security Council members (Sun, 2015).

Another similar working paper of the author China's Policy in Africa, 1958–71, he saw

Chinese objectives in Africa were both short range and long range (Sun Yun, 2018). For short-

range objective, it was to the establish diplomatic relations and extend trade that was created

by ‘’imperialist’’ propaganda while trying to persuade the government to adopt an anti-western

brand of neutralism. When it comes to the long-range objectives, it was to help train indigenous

revolutionary groups whose function would be to transform the African nationalist political

temperament into a communist one. As can be seen in the reduction of Soviet expansionism,

European colonialism and American imperialism in Africa was also the ideological of China’s

foreign policy toward Africa before the 1980. Moreover, ideological of China aimed to protect

the notions of independence and nationalism, ethical values, which led to the improvement of

China’s power in Africa in order to harm the West and its ideologies of domination based on

colonialism and imperialism (Michael, n.d). Furthermore, the concepts ‘power’, ‘national

interests’, and ‘self-interest’ are how Chinese ideology driving force toward Sino-African

relations.

Chinese Foreign Policies has been increasing its influence to the world since President

Xi Jinping took the office in 2013. One of the most noticeable initiatives by Xi Jinping is the

Belt and Road initiative (BRI). On the fundamental ground of Chinese Foreign Policy has been

underpinning the so called Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence for the last 60 years. Those

principles are mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-

aggression, mutual non-interference in each’s other internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit

and last but not least peaceful coexistence (Weissmann, 2015). Moreover, the finding by

another study also stated that one of the most successful initiative under Xi’s administration is
the Belt and Road Initiative. According to Charles Parton, Belt and Road Initiative has the

intention not just geopolitical but it also contains geo-economic intentions as well. The

intention of BRI including, ensure resource, market and energy to maintain economic China’s

growth. Another intention is that the BRI also assists Chinese companies by having

manufacturing, certification, inspection and other standards dominated by China (Financial

Times, 2018).

Having dream of restoring the country's reputation in global viewpoint, China has tried

to expand his involvement in many developing worlds. Economically, Africa has become a

vital target for China to accomplished that Xi's China Dream. Thus, economic engagement

across Africa continent is one of an essential part in President Xi Jinping's grand strategy.

Moreover, it is said that Africa is the largest trade partner of China by now, and the

improvement of growth performance of Africa has considerably been noted. Therefore, in a

research paper which conducted by three authors including Matthias Busse, Ceren Erdogan,

Henning Muhlen have focused on the question whether China's engagement has also made the

significant contribution to economic growth in Africa by investigate on the impact of three

main channel of China's economic activities including trade, FID, and aids. In the paper, they

mentioned two important causes that impact the Sino-Africa linkages on the Africa growth

performance. First, within only a short period of time, China has successfully developed into

not only the biggest trade partner, but also the major investor of Africa. Hence, that economic

acts of China have strong impact on the growth rate. Second, comparing to high income and

some developing economies, China has pursued different approaches toward Africa countries

that could cause varied economic effects. The researchers have used various methodologies

such as panel data for 43 sub-Saharan countries, the period 1991-2010, a simple Solow-type

growth model, and other two different econometrics methods which involved an instrumental

viable approach. Moreover, the empirical findings of this research pointed some important
outcomes as followed. Firstly, African countries' economic development have gotten little

impact from FID flows from china and Chinese cooperation, as well as foreign aid from other

countries. However, Sino-African trade raises a significate impact on the growth. The results

shown that Africa non-resources imports from China have given the negative effects on the

growth, whereas Chinses economic corporation show some positive effects. Furthermore, by

using interaction term, they also indicated that Africa gains benefits from exporting natural

resources to China. Finally, the research discovered the existence of heterogeneity within the

countries sample. Additionally, in term of policy implication, those findings revealed that in

dealing with a new partner like China, African countries are facing both opportunities and

challenges. By that, the evidences could be seen in example of Africa export of natural

resources (Busse, Erdogan, & Mühlen, 2013).

Another group of studies concentrates on the background on the three elements of

China's Africa policy, and also include four case studies highlighting economic activities

stimulated by China in the Republic of South Africa, Egypt, Sudan, and Angola, in order to get

more details and understandings the manner of those policies that have been invoked and put

into operation. The three main elements of China's objective and plan that are identified by

author including support for Chinese policies in international affairs, particularly One China

policy; search for oil and other mineral resources, and creation of a new market for Chinese

goods and services while providing additional jobs for Chinese people. Besides, in term of

methodologies, the author did not mention any specific procedure. However, there are different

styles of graphical data are used to explain in each case studies. In research paper, the author

described the stated goals of China's African strategy followed by the elaboration of the recent

historical context of China's Africa policy. Moreover, author also identified that nowhere is

more energetic in term of resources and raw materials for China's demand than Africa. Thus,

China has further developed the focus on the China's early Africa policy by adding new and
urgent economic and strategic dimension to the diplomatic emphasis. After all, the author

claimed that the ultimate goals of China seeking to do in Africa is to establish successful

relations with African countries and then gain the supports from them for its 'One China' policy

in The United Nations. Beside pursuing for political goal, China has also continued its active

role in economic and commercial area, particularly in searching for natural resources and

investment activities. All in all, China has been making such notable progresses in both

political and economic activities in Africa even struggling with some severe challenges and

issues in some countries (Pannell, 2008).

3. Sino-African relationship in term of military

According to Larry Hanauer and Lyle J. Morris, Sino-African did not pause at the

economic or political level yet its spread over to security aspects as well. China as the very

crucial actors in the international arena believes that security is a must to ensure the trade

relations as well as political relations with the African government. As the region of Africa is

therefore chaotic and facing security apparatus, China needs to ensure that Africa will be safe

in order to secure economic relations with one another. China, on the hand, saw the opportunity

provide by the threat of instability situation in the region as the chance to trade arms between

state located there. China becomes the major provider of arms to African government despite

all of the criticism from the west. Moreover, China themselves tend to play a double standard

game to pursue the win-win strategy, China tends to contribute huge amount of force for UN

peacekeeping operations among the five UN permanent member to Africa which somehow will

paint the good image on China regardless all of the criticism meanwhile could secure the

safeguard of their own employees. Furthermore, by joining the United Nation Peacekeeping

operation, China could modernize People’s Liberation Army (PLA) by getting to train

internationally with others countries. The African government, on the other hand, tend to

demand security assistance from China in term of both arms trade and military exchange.
Within three years since 2009, China sent a total of 12 high-level military delegations to Africa

and vice versa. This showed the great examples of exchanging education in military aspects as

well as training.

Similar study conducted by the author of China’s Relations with Sub-Saharan Africa,

mentioned that China involvement in the African region with the principle of non-interference

in the domestic affair yet defect its own principle by selling the arms to the groups inside the

African state (Stahl, 2016). One of the reasons which China dig deep into the military relations

was the insecurity sphere that affects the Chinese workers as well as the attack on the Chinese

industries. The Sino-African arms trade deal is more likely exchanges the arms products with

the natural resources. In addition, besides PKO China also provide a joint multilateral security

initiative, sharing the military strategy as well as sending its naval troops for combating the

piracy off the coast of Somalia. Additionally, China also collaborates with AU to provide both

financial support and technical support to foster the African Peace and Security Architecture

(APSA). Moreover, the most remarkable of Sino-African security relations is the establishment

of Chinese military base in Djibouti for the sake of improving the PLA’s naval force due to the

strategic location of the base (Bland, 2018).

To sum up, each author greatly discussed on the motives behind Sino-African relations.

Regarding the political aspect, the author mainly talked about how Chinese government

interacted with African governments back to 1960s through anti-colonized policy and promote

unify of the third world countries; in the exchange to gain support for One-China policy.

Moreover, concerning the economic aspect, the author stressed a lot on the Belt and Road

Initiative by President Xi Jinping to promote peace and prosperity. Taking this into account,

China have seen African countries as a geo-economics playground for both African and

Chinese to seek for growth through cooperation and achieve a win-win policy. The two aspects

cannot be achieved without security. This led to the security ties of Sino-African. There are
two popular ways that Chinese government attempt to promote such as peacekeeping operation

and establish military abroad base at Djibouti.

Positively, numerous of studies have been conducted on Sino-Africa friendship.

However, one size cannot fit all; to simply put, the literature reviews mentioned above consist

of gaps. Touching on political and ideology aspect, the literature reviews tended to be bias

towards ideology and political relationship and ignoring the other aspect like economic

relationship and security ties. To some extends, the colonized policy seemed to be outdated

because 54 countries in African continent are independent and they are member of the United

Nations as well. In this sense, the policy tends to be least impact on why there was an existence

of Sino-African Strategic Partnership in 2006. Additionally, the current Chinese government

is ruled by President Xi Jinping, which he pay more attention to the “Five No” approach for

his foreign policy in Africa with the absent of anti-colonized policy. Regarding on economy

aspect, the literature reviews seemed to left out some elements such as how the Belt and Road

Initiative contribute to the growth of Chinese economy, the absence of statistic to support the

argument, ignoring not only political and ideology aspect but also social relations that related

to educational assistance, cultural ties and so on. Concerning on security aspect, the literature

reviews tended to miss out the analytical content on why China thrive to become a global leader

not only in economy and political but also military. Although it mentioned a lot on how China

wants to gain a popularity as a good leader through arm trade, first military abroad base at

Djibouti and especially a huge amount of contribution to peacekeeping operation; but the

sources have limitation as well due to least accurate information on statistic and primary

sources. Above all, each literature review seemed to left out the methodology on how they

conducted the research. By looking at these gaps, it enhances us to conduct a research study

which can fulfil those loopholes and produce a fruitful research study for others.
 Chapter III Policies contribute to Sino-African relations

A. Political and ideology

It is no doubt that China has been soaring in the last three decades, and it allows China

to use it as a tool to strengthen its diplomatic relations with other continents including Africa.

However, there should a discussion on why China wants a closer tie with these countries in

terms of political aspect. First, China and Africa relations shed the light on Taiwan’s name in

international arena. ‘One China’ policy is very important to China. It has appeared to be one

of the national values and interest of China. It has been an essential base for the Chinese’s

policy toward Taiwan since the UNGA has adopted its resolution 2758 in 1971 announcing

that member states of UN recognized People’s Republic of China as “the sole legal

representative of China” in the organization (YONGJUN, 2018). In order to build economic

partnership with China, many African countries has sacrifice old relationship with Taiwan. On

May 26, 2018, Burkina Faso, which had maintained its relations with Taiwan for 24 years,

decided to cut the tie with Taiwan and reestablished diplomatic relations with China leaving

only one country in the continent to continue their relations with Taiwan. Lu Kang, China’s

Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that this friendly cooperation is on the basis of One China

policy (Solomon, 2018). China has been successful in making those African nations to severe

their diplomatic ties with Taiwan in the purpose of pressuring the island to unify with the PRC.

Second factor to future shows China’s commitment in establishing a strong partnership with

African countries is to build a strong alliance. It is and always been the political instrument of

China to have a strong tie with African nations. The 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on

China-Africa Cooperation can be implied in two terms: externally, China tries to gather support

from African countries for its international agenda, particularly during Trump administration

and trade policy with China itself; and internally, China wants to assert its soft power. Africa,

in return, could help provide “the moral, rhetorical, and political support” for China intention
and ambition for global leadership because the Belt and Road Initiative has been questioned by

the recipient countries as China’s expansionist policy (Sun Yun, 2018). This can be implied

that China has used its economy through political instruments to build its soft power in the

world and to curb US’s power why has been its China’s major competitor in the continent.

Concerning level of analysis, particularly in system level, China sees the world as multipolar

arena, where it needs to oppose US-Africa alliance that is threatening and can become the

hegemon. China puts efforts in strengthening its soft power in terms of economic and political

aspects because in this system, China needs to optimally increase its power.

Based on ideological interests, which can be seen in China’s foreign policy toward

Africa as the success of the ‘’China model’’. The African continent compose of a strategic

location that China looks to extend its geopolitical influence. Africa can allow China to have

the opportunity to significantly expand its global presence and influence in the world.

Therefore, Chinese leader increases its investments in African infrastructure as much as

possible (MAVERICK, 2018). In 2018, Chinese officials-maintained Africa's role in Xi's Belt

and Road initiative to connect China by sea and land through an infrastructure network

modeled on the old Silk Road with southeast and central Asia, the Middle East, Europe and

Africa (CNBC, 2018). In term of ideology, Xi is central due to the fact that his future

ideological heritage is successful which at the congress, the CCP represents his name and ideas.

Furthermore, Xi now becomes a political leader as important as Mao Zedong, which Xi tries

to strengthen the CCP’s legitimacy by keeping ideological control Maoist and Marxist

principles within China. For example, Xi called on his fellow party members to apply Marxist

principles and to strengthen their belief in communism and “socialism with Chinese

characteristics.”
 B. Economy

One of Chinese strategies, under President Xi, is the Belt and Road Initiative. With the

existence of this initiative is to foster the Sino-African relations; China and Africa are align

through Belt and Road Initiative attached with development strategies of African countries in

order to bring more opportunities for the growth and prosperity of all the nations in African

continent, President Xi Jinping said on September 4. During the meeting, both sides had

adopted a declaration on building a China-Africa community with a shared future and an action

plan for the next three years (Baijie, 2018). Taking this into account, African nations can learn

from the counter-part on how struggle that China took to become a world leader in the modern

world. Additionally, there are many factors behind this initiative. One of which is that both

sides have shared common history together and also have learnt lessons that African nations

need to learn from China in order to become a stronger continent. By building a relation with

China, Africa can get a closer look on how China develops to gain the economic boom.

Moreover, one of the lessons that African can learn from China is that a nation that was once

colonized can rise to become a superpower. African nations can also learn from how China has

used languages to foster national pride. Like in China, they made Mandarin as a standard

language in China. Despite being colonized in the past, China still resists to keep their

languages strong and also take it as one of source of pride for them (New African, 2018). On

the other hand, during the summit between China and African nations, President Xi also made

a statement that, China will promote industrialization in Africa with practical measures such as

encouraging Chinese companies to expand their investment in Africa as well as support

Africa’s efforts in order to achieve food security by 2030 (Baijie, 2018). All in all, we can see

that BRI is not the only focus about building the relations between China and African nations,

but it also cements the ties. The economic relations between China and Africa have increased

extraordinarily during the past decade of the active cooperation. The post-Cold war, China has
turned back its attention to Africa, and the economic dimension of their relations had been

strengthened since that period (LSE, 2013). The Africa continent is considered as a strategic

position as the territory is rich in oil and natural resources. Also, five of the world's top oil-

producing countries are located in Africa (Aljazeera, 2018). Thus, it can be seen that the

economic interest has played crucial roles in sharping the new direction Chinese foreign policy

toward Africa. China cannot find any places to search for resources and raw materials that is

more energetic than in Africa (Pannell, 2008). China seems to obtain the increasing interest on

African states since 2000. Fundamentally, after 2000, the interest of China toward Africa is

motivated by economic reason, including trade, investment, and especially resource extraction.

Therefore, China has implied various economic instruments in order to succeed in her foreign

policy in Africa, including foreign economic and trade policy, and foreign aids. Currently,

China is Africa's major trade partner. Over the last couple of years, from 2001 to 2007, the

number of trades between these two countries was greater by 168 percent. Moreover, the value

of trade transaction has grown significantly from US$2 billion in 1999 to US$ 160 billion in

2012. Additionally, preferential finance, debt elimination, market expansion, and economic

and trade cooperate zones are comprised in China's Africa policy as well. Over the past

decades, China has transferred significant amount of aids and loans to many African states, and

has become one of the utmost sources of financing for Africa. However, foreign aids and loan

of China are sometime considered as a non-coercive instrument of Foreign Policy because it is

said that China is using it as a friendly strategy in order to gain access to enriched resources of

Africa. For example, one of China's policy called “Hand-off” policy to back up the countries

that have weak governance and did not gain supports from any international monetary

institutions. However, it can be noted that there is the unbalance gain between China and

Africa, and the scale is favored to China. For example, China has conducted massive resource
exploitation from Africa without providing them any significant benefits (Mlambo, Kushamba,

& Simawu, 2016).

C. Military

In term of military aspects, China had made a large move with its first military

deployment outside the Asia-Pacific region to the Gulf of Aden in 2008. This is the notable

events that demonstrate China’s willingness not to only pursue its economic or diplomatic ties

but also improve the security environment in the region as well (HOLSLAG, 2009). China

itself had become the top fifth major arms sales to African accounted for 5.7% of all exports

and was increased by 38% to the African region (Brown, 2018). Besides the arms trade China

and African states had the military delegations’ exchanges programs as well as consultation

and meetings for training and developing the strategy and quality. Notwithstanding China had

partaken its role in providing troops for PKO and mostly the troops were contributed to the

mission in Africa. Furthermore, Djibouti located in Africa functioning as the strategic point

and the main gateway to the Suez Canal had become the place for China to settle its first

military base in 2017 (Benabdallah, 2018).

As can be seen the dramatic changes in Sino-African relations in term of military and

security this paper will illustrate the motives of how President Xi pursue these tactics as well

as the reason why this aspect was taken into account. To begin with, the external restraints on

China foreign policy is the economic realities. As can be seen, Africa had become China’s

largest trading partner since 2009 and the new initiative of BRI had foster along with the

security interests of the Chinese government in African areas. The African region which is one

of the chaotic pans yet also the regions of abundant resources had attracted the Chinese

government to pay more attention. The deal was made between the Chinese government and a

few African states when the Chinese government starting to involve in the regional conflicts.

The arms sales between Angola, Botswana, Eritrea, and others were made in order to exchange
for natural resources. Additionally, China began to involve in the intraregional conflicts just in

order to ensure its interest such as Chinese people, workers, industries and so on. The Chinese

government acknowledges that in order to foster its BRI initiative and the economic relations,

African must once be a stable region. With significances of backlashes happens to Chinese

workers including children and women kidnapping and attacks on oil facilities, the Chinese

government starts to participate in safeguarding their citizens. In addition, the construction of

the first China military base which was in Djibouti is a very interesting point to analyze. As the

troops of the United States and other foreign had placed its feet on the African region especially

Djibouti the key gateway, it also possesses a threat to China. The Djibouti base was also used

to resupply navy ship for taking part in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. This involve

counter-terrorism and anti-piracy missions to ensure safety for its citizen and its economic

interests. On the other hand, what really motives China to construct the base despite its internal

interest is its middle range objective goal. With around eight hundred U.S military bases all

over the world, China got none. According to realism relative power should be taken into

consideration. Looking on economic aspect, China and U.S are playing the positive sum game

thus in term of military aspect Chinese seem to be inferior comparing to the U.S. As mentioned,

African is the most suitable regions for China to prolong its base since Asia's member states

are not really easy to convinces. With the existence of intra-regional conflicts and the intra-

state conflicts along with the weak governances, corruptions, chaotic, poverty and demanding

fund for developing their countries, the African states rely heavily on China. By having chances

and ambitious to modernize its military Chinese government tends to provides millions of

dollars to assist African states as well as providing the loan. As the uses of debt-trap policy

work, the Djiboutian government is about $1.5 billion in debt to Beijing government, this led

to the reasons why China can establish its first oversea military base. By having military base

constructed, Chinese government seem to have its voice in the international arena since the bas
posed threat to the U.S. in the matter of security. Moreover, by increasing its military presence

in African regions, China not only could serve its country interest, thus it gains the upper hand

to promote its own national prestige through military assistance to African states yet also the

largest contribution to Peace Keeping Operation in the regions. By having the following actions

done, China could enable to paint itself a good image and non-aggressive actor.
 Chapter IV Conclusion

To sum up, there are three component that drive China to pursue its foreign policy

with African nations. Firstly, regarding on the political and ideology, African region seemed

to be crucial for the counter part in a way that those states need heavy investment to develop

country. Meanwhile, China is hungry to become a world leader; so African states can back the

support for China in the international arena. Most importantly, continue to support the “One

China” policy without any hesitation. Secondly, concerning on the economy aspect, we can see

that in order to not heavily deepened natural resource like oil from the Middle East, China go

for a friendly approach with African nations. This not only reduce the pressure from the

pressure group but also foster the growth of the economy and BRI is a magnificent tool to do

that. Moreover, to secure the safety and efficient while doing trade with African states, China

never fail to consider military aspect. In other words, to ensure the security of Chinese citizens,

industries, ships and so on, China needs to give assistance to African governments either arm

trade or oversea military base.

Frankly, if we reflect Chinese foreign policy towards in Africa, we believe that to

become a world leader is not an easy task. The rising of economy aspect alone is not effective.

That’s why China needs both political and military to become the one. Chinese forces are well-

train and at the same time has least experience comparing to the United States forces. Thus,

China needs support in order to do a certain task especially in the international stage;

meanwhile the United States has more allies comparing to China. Taking these two reasons in

to account, China is progressing to become a world leader.

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