Dear Edtor,
Reading from De Oratore book II chapter 9, the great Roman statesman and philosopher, Marcus Tullius Cicero discusses the importance of history in the education of an orator. Therein, Cicero regards history as “witness of the past, the light of truth, and the life of memory.” Following history therefore, and reading from an African’s mind who is an ardent follower and observer of China-Africa relations, it can logically be observed that China is a man more sinned against than sinning. By this article, I seek your company through the analytical journey provided by a recap of history whose end shall bring us to a consensus.
By drawing an analogy between the China, Taiwan and America issue alongside China-Africa relations issue, it is observable that China’s ever growing influence in Africa is a crucial factor currently taking a front seat towards explaining why China has potential enemies from the Western block.
It is worth noting that on 2nd February1972, the United States President, Richard Nixon visited China. It is this same visitation that resulted into the issuance of the 28th February Shanghai Communiqué. In this communiqué, it was in this communiqué where both countries agreed that; regardless of their social systems, they should conduct their relations on the principles of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states. They also agreed upon non-aggression against other states, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence”.
Additionally, the Shanghai Communiqué which strengthened ties between the US and China both on paper and in foreign policy, it significantly paved a way for the signing of another important Communiqué between the US and China which further strengthened their relations. On 17th August 1982, both states were able to sign the Sino-US Joint Communiqué which is also known as the August 17 Communiqué. It was in this Communiqué where the United States pledged that “it does not seek to implement a long-term policy of selling arms to Taiwan.”
Moreover, the August 17 Communiqué was after the formal establishment of diplomatic ties between the US and China when the US recognized the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China on 1st January, 1979.
Today, all these Communiqués have been violated especially with USA’s interference in the internal affairs of China. For example, in September 2024, USA’s President, Joe Biden approved $567m USD as defense support to Taiwan. While the United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it is worth noting that the US remained Taipei’s most influential international backer and arms supplier. This ultimately contradicts with and violates the August 17 Communiqué’s principles. Unforgettably in April 2024, the US had approved billions of dollars in military aid for Taiwan as China increased military and political pressure on the island.
By following the footsteps of history, US’s actions seem to send a signal to China that it should give up on its ever growing influence in Africa or it rather faces internally sponsored unrests like the Taiwan factor. This is simply because China has indirectly used Africa to expose the weaknesses of the Western powers. Looking at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) for instance, its achievements seem to have turned Africa into one of the exhibition grounds for unearthing the unbelievable realities. For example, China has ably proved to African countries that development is possible for all countries across the globe and through peaceful means. The support made by China to several developing African countries in form of foreign investment and funding projects, has not left these states the same.
The most intriguing part of China-Africa relations is that China has proved that all forms of developments can be witnessed without limits in Africa. For example, on 4th December 2023, China helped Egypt to launch its MISRSAT-2 satellite into the orbit from Jiuquan Satellite. This was meant to give boost to Egypt’s land and resource utilization, water conservancy, agriculture and other fields. This kind of support was preceded by the December 2019 launching of the first ever satellite in Ethiopia. Under the leadership of Her Excellency Sahle-Work Zewde, Ethiopia was able to launch its 70kg Multi-Spectral Remote Sensing Satellite, known as ETRSS-1 with support from Chinese government. This move also focused on accessing the necessary data on changes in climate and weather related issues which all aimed at improving forestry, natural resources protection as well as agriculture. Arguably, this was a signal to African countries that even on their continent, spaceship development is possible.
Critically observing the most previous September 2024 FOCAC summit, in a move to foster development on the African continent, President Xi said that “…China is ready to increase exchanges of governance experience with Africa, support all countries in exploring modernization paths befitting their national conditions, and help ensure equal rights and equal opportunities for all countries.” A mere mentioning of exploring modernization that befits African countries national condition, it further sets a huge difference between China and the West and it awakens a lot of African minds. For example, on 27th April 2023, the United States warned Uganda that it risked losing $400million USD in Washington’s annual support to HIV/Aids care treatment in relation to passing the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. Of course, we later observed some visa restrictions imposed on some Ugandan officials by the US for the adoption of anti-gay law.
Weighing the two situations, the China-Africa and US-Africa relations, China exhibits a huge difference in its foreign policy which resonates with Africans. As a result, China’s popularity in Africa is a bad signal to the West which leaves them exposed since it has made the impossible possible and the unbelievable believable. In return, the internal unrests and tensions within China like the Taiwan issue communicate a lot on China’s influence in Africa, and why the communiqués in existence are violated. Even when China’s intentions in Africa are for the goodwill of the African continent, there is no way it can do well without exposing the West. As a result, enmity from the West is inevitable.
Ssemanda Abdurahim is a Research Fellow at the Sino-Uganda Research Centre