China Aims to Take Lead on Artificial Intelligence in Global South

 CNBC published on 17 July 2026 an article titled "Xi Pitches China as AI Partner to Developing World, Warns Against Risks and Security Overreach" by Lim Hui Jie.

China is reaching out to various blocs of nations in the Global South to build partnerships concerning AI.  The blocs include ASEAN, African Union, League of Arab States, and the BRICS.

Aljazeera published on 17 July 2026 an article titled "China's Xi Jinping Launches New AI Alliance: What Is It?"

Beijing is casting itself as a leader of the global AI order, challenging the position of the United States.  China announced last week a coalition of 29 nations called the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) with a headquarters in Shanghai.  Founding members include South Africa and Senegal.

In the meantime, Washington is retreating from global cyber and AI norms-setting processes and withdrawing its financial backing for cyber diplomacy more broadly.

China and Russia Agree to Seek New World Order

 The Raisina Hills, an independent digital news platform based in India, published on 20 May 2026 an article titled "Russia-China Challenge Western-led System in Joint Declaration."

The article assesses the joint declaration agreed to by China and Russia released on 20 May during Vladimir Putin's visit with Xi Jinping in Beijing.  The article concludes that "the declaration suggests the Russia-China partnership is evolving beyond tactical cooperation into a broader attempt to shape the ideological architecture of a future world order."

Artificial Intelligence in Africa and Cooperation with China and US

 Nanyang Technological University posted on 24 February 2026 an article titled "The State of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa" by Amit Jain.

This is a nice summary of the current state of artificial intelligence in Africa, the sectors that are most likely to benefit in the coming years, and the countries that are best positioned to take advantage of it. 

The Georgetown Journal of International Affairs published on 7 February 2026 an article titled "The United States, China, and AI Competition in Africa: Lessons for the Global South" by Alice Chen and Neel U. Sukhalme.  

This article (also posted below on 11 February) is a useful addition to this topic, which is fast becoming important to Africa's development.  

US, China, and AI Competition in Africa

 The Georgetown Journal of International Affairs published on 7 February 2026 an article titled "The United States, China, and AI Competition in Africa: Lessons for the Global South" by Alice Chen, Kobre & Kim LLP, and Neel U. Sukhatme, University of Michigan Law School.  

The article compares US and Chinese approaches to artificial intelligence (AI) exports in Africa and examines how these disparate approaches have produced both downstream benefits and challenges for the region.  Overall, the United States focus on domestic policy and corporate activity and China's focus on state strategy and infrastructure have presented unique opportunities and risks for African countries.  It concludes with policy recommendations for countries in the Global South to maximize benefits and mitigate risks associated with US-China AI competition.

Chinese Foreign Minister on Annual Visit to Africa

 The South China Morning Post published on 9 January 2026 an article titled "China FM Wang Yi Opens Africa Tour with United Call for Rules-based Order" by Jevans Nyabiage.  

China and the African Union called for an international law-based order with respect for sovereignty in a lightly veiled criticism of the US strike against Venezuela.  China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, is on a visit to Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Lesotho.  During his tour, he will likely juxtapose China's support for Africa against recent US actions that set back relations with the continent.

China's Assertive Global Governance Initiative

The Diplomat published on 23 September 2025 a commentary titled "2025 Xiangshan Forum: China Enters a New Era of Assertive Global Governance" by Sookyeon Lee, lieutenant colonel in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps and associate professor at the Korea National Defense University.  

The 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in September 2025 represented a watershed moment in China's foreign policy.  The author, who attended the forum in 2024 and 2025, concluded this year's session showcased an emboldened China ready to present itself as the leader of an alternative global order.  The forum also tracked closely the recent announcement of China's Global Governance Initiative, a framework for reforming the current Western-led international system. 

Ranking of China's Global Influence

 Uganda's The Independent published on 24 September 2025 an article titled "How China Controls the World" by Ronald Musoke.

The article draws on China's growing influence in Uganda and the results of the China Index 2024, published by China in the World network with the Taiwan-based non-profit Doublethink Lab.  The index measures China's influence in 101 countries.  

Comment:  It is difficult to determine if the title of the article is tongue in cheek or a misreading of the China Index 2024.  In any event, the index suggests that China is generally increasing its global influence.  

Nigeria Seeks to Maximize Benefits of Relations with US and China

 Nigeria's P.M. News published on 16 September 2025 an article titled "Beyond Dependency: US-China Trade Rivalry as Opportunity for Nigeria" by Emmanuel Yashim.  

Drawing on a thoughtful discussion of US and China relations with key countries in Latin America, the article emphasizes that the question for Nigeria is not which partner, the United States or China, to embrace but how to manage both relationships so they serve Nigeria's national development.  The article warns of the dangers of excessive debt and suggests that Nigeria's large trade deficit with China is unsustainable.  

Africa and China's Global Security Initiative

The Africa Center for Strategic Studies published on 4 August 2025 a paper titled "Africa as a Testing Ground for China's Global Security Initiative" by Paul Nantulya. 

China's Global Security Initiative (GSI) is slowly taking on concrete structure.  GSI principles are designed to appeal to the Global South and are being integrated into the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.  African governments also see GSI as another source of security assistance.  

Mozambique Seeks Debt Relief from China

 Gate Moments posted on 4 July 2025 an article titled "Mozambique Seeks China Debt Relief as EM Stress Fuels Crypto Hedge Talk."

Mozambique hopes to restructure a $1.4 billion loan from China, which holds about 12 percent of Mozambique's external debt.  The issue arose during a visit to Beijing by Mozambique's president.  

Chinese Central Communist Party School Delegation Visits Nigeria

 The Nigerian Tribune posted on 26 June 2025 an article titled "Nigeria, China Partner to Advance Cooperation on Public Sector Reform."

A delegation from the Central Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) visited Nigeria to facilitate an exchange of ideas and best practices in public sector reform.  The head of the Central Party School delegation described the structure and mandate of the school and its critical role in shaping governance and public administration in China.

Comment:  This is yet another example of the CPC reaching out to African countries to strengthen party-to-party ties.  

Closing USAID Weakens American Power Globally

 The Washington Times published on 17 March 2025 a commentary titled "Closing USAID Will Weaken the Foundation of American Power" by Andrew Natsios, USAID administrator under President George W. Bush.

Elon Musk has fabricated unsubstantiated claims of fraud and program failure as he dismantled USAID, ending one of the most cost effective instruments of American influence around the world.

Can China Fill the Foreign Aid Hole?

 Brookings published on 11 March 2025 a commentary titled "Can China Fill the Void in Foreign Aid?" by Yun Sun.

China's foreign aid has consistently been a fraction of America's.  The highly publicized Belt and Road Initiative is mostly a commercial activity with a small percentage of development finance.  China's global foreign aid budget for 2024 was $2.85 billion.  Traditionally, about half the budget goes to countries in Africa.  In 2023, USAID's global budget was about $42 billion, and the State Department provided another $19 billion.  

Not only has the United States provided far more aid, but nearly all of it is in the form of grants while the largest percentage of China's aid is the concessionary part of loans.  The dismantlement of USAID by the Trump administration will leave China with more influence in a smaller space, but it doesn't mean China can step in to fill the void.   In addition, USAID's portfolio of humanitarian assistance does not overlap with China's capabilities.  China will likely seek political, diplomatic, and economic returns for any increase in its assistance.  Most significantly, Beijing will work to exploit the opportunity of American withdrawal to portray the US as the irresponsible great power.   

US Absence from G-20 Meeting in South Africa Widens Open Door for China

 Politico published on 20 February 2025 an article titled "Rubio's G-20 Soft Power Surrender" by Phelim Kine.

The decision by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to boycott the G-20 meeting in South Africa this week gives Beijing more room to deepen relationships with countries of the Global South.  Coupled with the dismantling of USAID, this sends an especially negative message to Africa.  

The Future of China-Africa Relations

 The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace published on 21 November 2024 an analysis titled "What FOCAC 2024 Reveals About the Future of China-Africa Relations" by Christian-Geraud Neema.

China called for modernization in Africa or the right to industrialize according to one's own background without being forced to follow Western norms.  China is promoting a variety of governance models and approaches to development and modernization that undercut the Western-led international order, norms, and values.  

China is positioning itself as Africa's development partner and international ally.  But there is no guarantee China's approach will be fairer or more advantageous for Africa.  So far, the United States has not responded with a clear counter strategy.

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Poses Diplomatic Challenge for China

 The South China Morning Post published on 21 October 2024 an article titled "Ethiopian Dam Could Muddy the Waters of China's Position as a Global Leader" by Jevans Nyabiage.

Ethiopia and Egypt have long been disputing the construction by Addis Ababa of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile.  Ethiopia and Egypt are also among the newest members of BRICS, which will soon meet in Russia.  China, also a member of BRICS, has close ties with Ethiopia and Egypt and may be seen as the party for resolving the differences between the two.  This is not a position that China relishes.  

China's "New" Modernization Model for the Global South

 The Diplomat published on 10 October 2024 a commentary titled "China Pitches Its Model of Modernization to the Global South" by Shruti Jargad, New Delhi-based Centre for Social and Economic Progress.

The author identifies four central tenants of China's "new" modernization model for the Global South.  They are: (1) economic globalization conducted by a strong party-led state; (2) non-interference in domestic political affairs and a focus on training and sharing governance strategies; (3) mutual reinforcement of high-quality development and greater security; and (4) a focus on infrastructure combined with people centric "small and beautiful" development.  

Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Generates Little Discussion in US National Security Community

 The Foreign Policy Research Institute published on 11 September 2024 a commentary titled "Can Democracies Deliver? Thoughts Following the 2024 China-Africa Summit" by Nicolas K. Gvosdev.

The author lamented the disappointing lack of in-depth discussion in the US national security community of the issues raised during the recently concluded 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing. For example, China's focus on green energy at FOCAC is an issue that the West needs to engage more effectively with Africa and the Global South generally.  

China and the Global South (in German)

 Internationale Politik published on 2 September 2024 an article titled "Reich der Mittler: China und der Globale Suden" by Lina Benabdallah, Wake Forest University.

The number of challenges affecting China in the Global South, especially in Africa, is growing rapidly.  There are increasing concerns about the sustainability of China's infrastructure projects in the Global South.  

Can FOCAC Meet Africa's Current Needs?

 The Institute for Security Studies published on 28 August 2024 a paper titled "Can FOCAC Adapt to Meet Africa's Long-term Needs?" by Jana de Kluiver.  

African countries need to rethink the future direction of the China-Africa partnership.  As the geopolitical importance of Africa increases, African countries must align their effort at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation with the African Union's Agenda 2063.  FOCAC's success will depend on its ability to adapt to shifting global dynamics while meeting Africa's needs.