China's Security Engagement in Africa Challenges the West's Approach

 The European Hub for Contemporary China posted on 21 October 2024 a commentary titled "China's Security Engagement with Africa & the 'Global South' Narrative" by Fatoumata Diallo and Maud Deschamps.  

As African countries have grown increasingly disillusioned with Western security engagement, China has progressively assumed a more assertive role in African security, shifting from a norm-taker to a norm-shaper approach.  China's influence presents challenges for the EU's engagement in Africa, necessitating a reassessment of its approach to security cooperation with African nations  

Chinese Ship Visit to Egypt

 Military Africa published on 18 August 2024 an article titled "46th Chinese Naval Escort Task Force Visits Egypt" by Darek Liam.

A PLA Navy guided-missile destroyer and supply ship began a 5-day visit at Alexandria Port in Egypt on 15 August.  The two ships were previously part of China's anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden.  This ship visit is one of several PLAN port calls in Africa following a hiatus during COVID-19.

The Pros and Cons of China in Africa

 The New Left Review published on 25 July 2024 a commentary titled "Evil Empires?" by Elizabeth Schmidt.

The author looks at the plusses and minuses of China's engagement in Africa since the end of the Cold War.  

Full Steam Ahead for Chinese Navy Port Calls in Africa

 The South China Morning Post published on 13 April 2024 an article titled "Chinese Navy Steers a Course for African Ports in Beijing's Renewed Diplomatic Push" by Jevans Nyabiage.  

Following a hiatus, except for regular port calls at its naval base in Djibouti, during COVID-19, China's Navy has resumed them in Africa.  The PLA Navy's most recent visits took place at ports in Tanzania, Mozambique, and Madagascar.  

PLA Navy Ships Call at Maputo, Mozambique

 Defence Web posted on 2 April 2024 an article titled "Chinese Naval Task Force Visiting Mozambique" by Guy Martin.

The PLA Navy's 45th 3-ship anti-piracy naval task force that recently completed its rotation in the Gulf of Aden made a 5-day visit to Dar es Salaam and then continued to Maputo, Mozambique for another 5-day visit.  

Is China Pursuing a Second Military Base in Africa?

 Chatham House published on 25 March 2024 a commentary titled "Is China Eyeing a Second Military Base in Africa as the US Struggles to Maintain One in Niger?" by Alex Vines, Armida van Rij, and Henry Tugendhat.

China opened its first and only military base outside the country in Djibouti in 2017.  Rumors persist that Beijing is seeking another base in Africa.  But the mood across Africa about establishing more foreign bases is increasingly ambivalent.  As the United States is being pushed out of its base in Niger, China may be wary of the impermanent nature of these agreements with African governments.  

The authors suggest that rather than establish another full-fledged military base somewhere in Africa, China will seek to expand its civilian port infrastructure efforts and build dual-use facilities in African ports that it has invested in.  

Is China Prevailing Over the US in the Red Sea Crisis?

 The Cradle Posted on 28 February 2024 a commentary titled "China's Unexpected Gains from the Red Sea Crisis" by Giorgio Cafiero, CEO of Gulf State Analytics in Washington.  

The author argues that by rejecting engagement with the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea has bolstered China's regional image as a defender of the Palestinian cause.  China has capitalized on growing anger directed at the US and UK in the Islamic world and the Global South.  China's political gains appear to trump any associated financial loses.  

Indian Navy Patrols in Western Indian Ocean Raise Concerns in Beijing

 The Diplomat published on 10 February 2024 a commentary titled "What Does China Think About India's Increased Anti-Piracy Patrols Amid the Red Sea Crisis?" by Andrew Orchard, US Navy officer.

Ten or more Indian Navy ships with reconnaissance aircraft now patrol the Western Indian Ocean.  Chinese maritime experts are expressing skepticism about New Delhi's intentions.  

India Ramps Up Naval Activity in Response to China

 The Associated Press published on 1 February 2024 an article titled "India Begins to Flex Its Naval Power as Competition with China Grows" by Aljaz Hussain.  

India is sending a message that the Indian Ocean is its backyard and signaling China that it plans to assume wider naval responsibility in the region, including the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.  

China Praises Its Gulf of Aden Anti-Piracy Program; Others Mock It

Xinhua published on 28 December 2023 an article titled "Chinese Navy's 15-year Quest for Peace in Gulf of Aden, Waters Off Somalia."

The article praises the efforts of the PLA Navy (PLAN) continuously over the last 15 years to protect commercial shipping and Chinese personnel in the Gulf of Aden/Red Sea region.  During this time, the PLAN escorted more than 7,200 Chinese and foreign vessels.  

Newsweek published on 26 December 2023 an article titled "China's Navy Propaganda Slapped with X Community Note" by John Feng.

The story cites a recent video by the PLAN praising its 15-year contribution to combatting piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea.  It also notes recent social media messages mocking the PLAN's inaction when it failed to respond to a nearby commercial ship's distress call when it was being attacked by pirates in the Red Sea.  A US naval vessel did respond and captured the pirates.  

China-Africa Peace and Security Forum: Mostly Rhetoric

 The New Delhi-based Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses published on 6 September 2023 an analysis titled "The China-Africa Peace and Security Forum: Practical Outcomes or Same Old Rhetoric?" by Abhishek Mishra.  

The third iteration of the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum took place in China from 28 August to 2 September 2023.  Over 100 participants from 50 African countries attended the event.  The author concluded that the conference achieved very little apart from rhetorical commitments.  

China Hosts Africans at Security Conference

 The South China Morning Post published on 29 August 2023 an article titled "China Welcomes Dozens of African States to Security Conference as It Seeks Greater Role in Continent" by Jack Lau.

The Third China-Africa Peace and Security Forum is underway in Beijing with security personnel from about 50 African countries.  China continues to eschew kinetic military activity in Africa and instead believes that security can be achieved through support for UN peacekeeping, training of African militaries, and economic development.  

European Union Seeks Higher Profile in Northwestern Indian Ocean

 The Middle East Institute published on 9 May 2023 an analysis titled "Joining the Pieces Together: Toward a Comprehensive EU Maritime Approach for the Northwestern Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea" by Leonardo Jacopo Maria Mazzucco.

The European Union has demonstrated a renewed resolve to bolster its profile as a maritime security guarantor in the northwestern Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf and Red Sea.  The author then sets forth some important constraints before achieving this goal.  

China Evacuates 1,300 Nationals from Sudan

 Agence France Presse published on 26 April 2023 an article titled "China Evacuates 1,300 Citizens, Other Nationals from Sudan."

There were an estimated 1,500 Chinese nationals in Sudan.  So far, China has evacuated more than 1,300 by land or by ship out of Port Sudan.  Chinese naval vessels, probably those assigned to the anti-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden, took part in the evacuation. 

China's Security Presence in the Middle East and North Africa

 The Washington Institute for Near East Policy published in the winter of 2022 a policy analysis titled "Navigating China's Security Presence in the Middle East and North Africa" by Grant Rumley and Carol Silber.  

The analysis summarizes China's interests and presence in the region and concludes with challenges for U.S. policy.  

China Sends Upgraded Ships to Anti-Piracy Escort Mission in Gulf of Aden

 The South China Morning Post published on 19 May 2022 an article titled "China's PLA Navy Sends Destroyer and Frigate on First Escort Mission, Targeting Pirates Off Somalia" by Amber Wang.

China has sent for the first time the upgraded guided-missile destroyer Suzhou and the frigate Nantung to the Gulf of Aden as part of its anti-piracy contribution that began in 2008.

Comment:  Somali piracy in the Gulf of Aden ceased being a serious problem years ago, but China regularly rotates escort missions to the area.  This is a way to train naval personnel, test new equipment in the far seas, and make use of its military base in Djibouti.  It also contributes to China's goal of becoming a global naval power.

China's Global Military Expansion and Africa

 The China Africa Project's Cobus van Staden interviewed Paul Nantulya, Africa Center for Strategic Studies in Washington, on 18 May 2022 in a piece titled "Africa's Role in China's Global Military Expansion - Defense Expert Unpacks a Thorny Issue."

Nantulya argued that China has the intention to transform the PLA Navy from a largely coastal force that played second fiddle to the PLA Ground Force into a blue water navy capable of operating and projecting power globally in support of China's expanding overseas interests.  As for Africa, the countries that come up in Chinese debates about new bases have been in the Indian Ocean and include Kenya, Tanzania, and Seychelles.  Namibia on the Atlantic Ocean has been the subject of intense local speculation as a potential basing partner.  Everything China does in this arena is incremental and modulated.

Overseas Expansion of Chinese Private Security Companies

 The Center for Strategic and International Studies published in January 2022 a study titled "A Stealth Industry: The Quiet Expansion of Chinese Private Security Companies" by Max Markusen.

Between 20 and 40 Chinese private security companies now operate outside China in about 40 countries, including extensively in Africa.  They are a useful tool for the Communist Party of China to protect Chinese interests and project power abroad.  

China's Security Strategy in Africa

 The Institute for International Political Studies published on 29 July 2021 a paper titled "China's Blended Approach to Security in Africa" by Paul Nantulya, Africa Center for Strategic Studies.

The author argues that China's military strategy in Africa centers on cultivating personal and professional ties, diffusing norms and models, and forging ideological and political bonds of solidarity.

US Reaction to China's Security Engagement in Africa

 The South China Morning Post  published on 4 May 2021 an article titled "US Welcomes China's Peacekeepers in Africa but Wary of Beijing's Military Inroads" by Jevans Nyabiage.  

The US has always welcomed China's support for UN peacekeeping missions in Africa and its anti-piracy efforts, but it is concerned about its plans to expand military access and possibly additional bases.