This archive report was first published on 5 January 2022.
China's Annual Africa Visit: A Tradition of Friendship ¶
Chinese State Councilor Wang Yi has begun a tour of Eritrea, Kenya, and the Comoros, from January 4 to 7, at the invitation of the respective hosts. This marks the 32nd annual visit by a Chinese foreign minister to Africa, a tradition that has been ongoing since 1991.
Among the three countries, Kenya is the largest in terms of size, population, and economy. Eritrea, located in northeast Africa, gained its independence in April 1993, while the Comoros, situated off East Africa's coast, is a lesser-known but unexploited tourist haven.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian announced the visit on December 2, 2021, stating that it 'demonstrates the great importance China attaches to its traditional friendship with Africa and the development of China-Africa relations.'
The visit comes at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has not hindered China's resolve to reach out to its most important partner. In 2021, Wang Yi made a five-nation African tour focused on COVID-19 vaccines, economic development, and infrastructure, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The BRI has become a game-changer for Africa, ushering in a new era of trade and infrastructure development, and providing billions of dollars in funding for projects such as highways, hydropower plants, and railways across the continent.
As China and Africa celebrate 65 years of diplomatic relations, the partnership has borne many positive outcomes for the continent, unlocking its potential and creating multiplier effects across various sectors.
Despite misinformation attempts to discredit the partnership, China has consistently honored its commitments to Africa, a distinctive feature of their cooperation. The country has signed inter-government science and technology cooperation agreements with 16 African countries, launched joint research platforms, and provided technical training courses for nearly 2,000 technicians and government officials from 47 African countries.
Stephen Ndegwa, a Nairobi-based communication expert, notes that Africa's partnership with China is paying off, with the two sides deepening their old civilizational ties in infrastructure, trade, finance, policy consultations, and people-to-people exchanges.
