China's Growing Security Role in Africa

The European Parliamentary Research Service published in October 2019 a briefing titled "China's Growing Role as a Security Actor in Africa" by Gisela Grieger.

The rising number of violent attacks against Chinese workers, calls from the domestic Chinese audience for action, and surging economic loss are some of the factors that have compelled China to give security a higher priority in Africa. China has shifted from uncompromising non-involvement to selective and incremental engagement in bilateral, regional, and international cooperation on peace and security by nuancing, on a case-by-case basis, its principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of foreign countries. China is extending its security influence in Africa by stepping up its engagement in UN peacekeeping operations and supporting anti-piracy efforts. These involvements have provided the rationale for establishing a military base in Djibouti and expanding its naval presence in the Indian Ocean and beyond.

This survey offers a useful summary of China's current security-related activities in Africa.