Merics published on 24 March 2022 a study titled "Growing US-China Rivalry in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia: Implications for EU" by Matt Ferchen.
The author concluded that of the three regions, Africa has provided the best fit for and been most receptive to China's development focused economic diplomacy. In part this is because Chinese officials have worked assiduously to build on Mao-era legacies of post-colonial, Third World leadership and solidarity in the region.
While China's comprehensive commercial and diplomatic presence in Africa has made it an important actor in the region and the United States has deepened its engagement there, Europe's position remains strong.
