China Elaborates on Its Global Security Initiative

 President Xi Jinping announced on 21 April 2022 a new Global Security Initiative (GSI) at the Boao Forum for Asia's annual conference in China.  This nebulous initiative raised more questions than it answered about China's "new" security policy.  

On 21 February 2023, China issued "The Global Security Initiative Concept Paper" that provided additional details about the initiative.  Foreign Minister Qin Gang summarized the concept paper by noting it lays out 20 priorities of cooperation for "upholding the UN's role in security governance; promoting coordination and sound interactions among major countries [not identified], facilitating peaceful settlement of hotspot issues through dialogue; tackling traditional and non-traditional security challenges; and strengthening the system and capacity for global security governance."

Comment:  There is relatively little that is "new" in the GSI, although several themes have evolved in the Xi Jinping era.  It mostly brings together long-standing Chinese foreign policy principles such as support for state sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, multilateralism, dialogue, and opposition to sanctions.  The concept paper underscores the centrality of Xi Jinping's "community of shared security for mankind" and support for the UN and African Union's peacekeeping mandate, peaceful coexistence, arms control, ASEAN-centered regional security cooperation, Africa-led counter-terrorism operations, UN-led fight against global terrorism, international security governance on artificial intelligence and outer space, global food and energy security, the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and cooperation to address climate change.

China's goal is clearly to place security issues in forums where China has more influence or has established mechanisms where it has control such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the China-Horn of Africa Peace, Governance and Development Conference.  

Chinese-financed and Built Light Rail in Addis Ababa Faces Maintenance Problems

 The South China Morning Post published on 17 February 2023 an article titled "China Hands a Lifeline to Ethiopian Capital's Crumbling Light Rail" by Jevans Nyabiage.  

With more than half of the train cars out of service due to maintenance issues, China has agreed to provide spare parts for the Addis Ababa light rail system financed and built by China.  The system opened in 2015.  Maintenance of Chinese-built rail projects has been an issue elsewhere in the region.  

Smarter US Competition with China in Africa

 World Politics Review published on 8 February 2023 a commentary titled "To Compete with China the U.S. Must Take Africans Seriously" by Chris Olaoluwa Ogunmodede.

The author argues that "African leaders remain wary of grand pledges and empty rhetoric unmatched by concrete follow-through, as well as the arrogant paternalism that typically characterizes Washington's engagement with these countries."  But the author adds that China is no less prone than the United States to making mistakes in its interaction with Africans.  Nevertheless, Beijing's core arguments resonate better by default.  

Japan's model of cooperation with Africans may be the best one to emulate.  Washington could start by being a better listener with its African interlocutors.  

Chinese, American, and Russian Officials Descend on Africa

 India's Observer Research Foundation published on 1 February 2023 an article titled "China, the US, and Russia Go On a Diplomatic Charm Offensive in Africa" by Abhishek Mishra.

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and UN ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov crisscrossed Africa in January.

Chatham House on China-Africa Relations

 Chatham House published on 18 January 2023 an analysis titled "China-Africa Relations" by Alex Vines and Jon Wallace.

The authors note a sharp drop since 2016 in Chinese loans to African countries, suggesting this portends a different approach to the continent.  While China may be seeking ports of call for its naval ships, there is little evidence it intends to open new military bases.  It is essential, however, that China work to relieve debt distress in the most impacted African countries.

Africa Visit by China's Foreign Minister

 The Diplomat published on 11 January 2023 a commentary titled "What Will African Leaders Seek to Gain from Welcoming China's New Foreign Minister?" by Yixin Yu and Charlie Zong, both at Development Reimagined.

The authors suggest the issues that will be raised during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang to Ethiopia, Gabon, Angola, Benin, and Egypt.  

China's Foreign Minister Visits Ethiopia

 The South China Morning Post published on 12 January 2023 an article titled "China Pledges Support for Reconstruction Efforts in War-Torn Ethiopia" by Jevans Nyabiage.

Foreign Minister Qin Gang began his Africa tour with a stop in Ethiopia where he commented that China has provided food, vaccines, and humanitarian aid to war torn areas of Ethiopia and will engage actively in rebuilding conflict-affected areas.

Comment:  While China has been a major source of loans for Ethiopia this century, it has provided minimal humanitarian assistance in the past or during the two year civil war.  The United States has provided on a grant basis most of the humanitarian aid.  Nor did the foreign minister provide any details on the nature of China's assistance for rebuilding conflict-affected areas.  

Chinese Foreign Minister Begins Year with Trip to Africa

 Aljazeera published on 9 January 2023 an article titled "New Chinese Foreign Minister Heads to Africa for First Trip."

New Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, until recently China's ambassador in Washington, will make his first overseas trip of the year to Africa, visiting Ethiopia, Gabon, Angola, Benin, and Egypt.  

Comment:  Since 1991, China's foreign minister has made his first overseas visit to Africa before visiting other parts of the world.  This trip normally takes place in January.