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11th August 2015

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Chinas Rising Presence in Central Africa: Opportunities


and Threats

The last two decades have seen an increase in


Chinas presence in Central Africa. As Chinas
economic growth keeps rising so does its demand
for energy. The rising super power has thus targeted
African countries endowed with raw materials,
including crude oil, minerals, and timber. In return,
China has been funding and building infrastructure
facilities, which remain in high demand in the region.
Yet, Chinas rising presence in Central Africa is not
without consequences as far as geopolitics is
concerned. This report offers an analysis of the
economic, social, security, and international
dimensions of Chinas rising presence in the region.

Chinese Investment In Africa Since 2010 (Source: CHINA BUSINESS REVIEW)

7th August 2015

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1. Economic Dimension: Who Gets What?


China needs raw materials to satisfy its rapid industrial expansion. This has forced it to turn to Central Africa, one
of the most resource-rich regions of the world. Up to 32 percent of Chinas crude oil is imported from Africa, with
Angola, Sudan, South Sudan, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Congo, and Cameroon emerging as major
importers. China gets copper and cobalt from Zambia and The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Gabon,
Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and the Republic of Congo are Chinas top four African suppliers of timber.1
The region also constitutes a huge market for Chinese manufactured goods. Main export products include
machinery, transport equipment, textiles, apparel, and footwear. China also excels in the service sector, mainly
telecommunications. Key to Chinas success in these sectors has been its ability to supply goods and services at
affordable prices, meeting the needs of local consumer markets.
In return, China provides loans at low market rates, while its companies have been awarded contracts to build
infrastructure facilities, including roads, stadia, hospitals, and others, in exchange for raw materials.
Chinas economic interest in Central Africa has helped increase the price of raw materials and could benefit local
populations. Yet, trade relations between China and the region remain asymmetrical. Chinese businesses have
thrived thanks to the large Central African consumer market, but local businesses have not been able to penetrate
the Chinese market, due to the regions lack of manufacturing capabilities.

2. Political Dimension: Local and International


Key to Chinas rise to prominence in the region, as is the case with the rest of Africa, was its ability to exploit the
tumultuous relationships between Central African states and the West, including international financial
organizations. On the bilateral level, China has proclaimed a policy of non-interference in local politics, while
adopting a policy of no strings attached, except non-cooperation with Taiwan, in regards to loans offered to
countries in the region.
Central African governments have constantly protested against what they perceive as the Wests meddling into
their domestic affairs. This is in addition to accusations of unfairness, levelled by African states towards the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, as a result of loan conditionality. Yet, Chinas approach to
its economic cooperation with Central African states is but the opposite of the approach of the West and
international financial organizations, which has made China a welcomed, favourable partner.
Nevertheless, this approach might prove costly both to Chinas investment and local politics in the long run. Central
Africa remains one of the most volatile regions of the continent. Furthermore, criticisms levelled against Central
African governments by their Western counterparts may be an encroachment to sovereignty, but they cannot be
wholly dismissed as unfounded, and may reflect the grievances of the majority of the people. Thus, Chinas
interests in the region might be at risk, unless it demands from its Central African partners an improvement in
certain areas, including transparency and democratic reforms, although this might not reflect its own values.

Kerstin Kamby, Forest Products Trade Between China and Africa Available online at http://www.foresttrends.org/documents/files/doc_515.pdf (Accessed 5 August 2015).
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3. Military and Security Dimension


China has proclaimed a policy of non-engagement vis--vis its Central African partners, and has limited its military
presence to multi-lateral deployments, such as with United Nations (UN) peace keeping missions. However, it
supplies arms2 to the region, some of which may be under UN arms embargo.
These weapons may serve the genuine purpose of defence, but they may also be used as instruments of
oppression, to help maintain repressive regimes in power. Also, for a region marked by a proliferation of irregular
armed militias, Chinas weapons may be falling in the hands of the said groups, thus posing a greater regional
security threat. For example, the bulk of small arms available to rebel groups in eastern DRC are from China.3
China has made huge investments in the region, but how it would react in the event of a threat to any of its interests
remains to be seen. Nevertheless, reports of a possible Chinas involvement in the current crisis in South Soudan,
where one of its oil companies retains the highest shares in oil production, is illuminating. China has allegedly
been arming President Salva Kiir, while taking part in the UN peace keeping mission in the country, and pushing
for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, at the same time.4
Chinas current military involvement in the region remains limited compared to Frances direct military role in
Central African Republic (CAR) and the US military presence in Uganda, for example. But its military presence is
gradually rising, with as many as 2,700 soldiers, sailors, engineers, and medical staff present in 7 out of 9
peacekeeping missions in Africa.5 Due to its growing influence in the region and the continent as a whole, it is
unlikely that China would have difficulties to establish a military base anywhere in Africa. This would be vital to its
economic interests, but could be perceived as a direct threat by the West, especially the US and France, who have
historically been present in the region, and still consider the continent as their economic and security turf.

4. US and France: How do they Fare in the Equation


Chinas rise to prominence and its increasing influence in Central Africa are not favourable to other competing
powers, such as the US and France, both of whom have business interests in the region. These two powers have
had unilateral military interventions in the region,6 and the increasing US military presence through AFRICOM7
could be an effort to contain China, albeit under the guise of the fight against terrorism.
As things stand, the balance of power remains in favour of the US and France. Arguably, China may be overtaking
the aforementioned states in building soft power in the region. But they (US and France) still possess the capability
to exert hard powersuch as by influencing political configurations in the region, or effecting deterrence on
leadersin their favour. France was influential in Francois Bozizes coup in 2003 and launched airstrikes to block

The bulk of Chinas small arms are supplied to Sudan, D.R. Congo, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Chad.
Amnesty International, DR Congo: Arms supplies Fuelling Unlawful Killings and Rape
Available Online at https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2012/06/dr-congo-arms-supplies-fuelling-unlawful-killings-andrape/ (Accessed 2 August, 2015).
4 Foreign Policy in Focus, China, America, and a New Cold War in Africa? Available Online at http://fpif.org/chinanamerica-new-cold-war-africa/ (Accessed 2 August, 2015).
5 Eric Olander et al., Chinas Expanding Military Presence in Africa Available Online at
http://www.chinafile.com/library/china-africa-project/chinas-expanding-military-presence-africa (Accessed 1 August 2015).
6 France was involved in Mali and Central African Republic, and the US has intervened in Niger.
7 AFRICOM stands for United States Africa Command.
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rebels attempt to overthrow the government.8 Thus, leaders in the region may still see in the US or France a
reliable backer in times of security needs, and may thus refrain from hurting the interests of either state.
Rising competition between the three powersChina, France and the USpresents an opportunity for Central
African countries. China is emerging as a reliable partner in times of economic needs, and, due to its policy of nostrings attached, has become an alternative to the West. However, this will damage prospects for accountability,
and democratic and human rights reforms, which the international community has been working hard to promote.

5. Local Dimension: the Socioeconomic Impact


Chinese presence in the region has produced mixed reactions. On one hand, people are able to purchase
consumer goods, and derive some benefits from infrastructural projects, such as roads and hospitals. China has
also been involved in human development efforts, including training and provision of health personnel, and hosting
African students through scholarships. Zambia is currently one of the African countries considering introducing
Mandarin in public schools, thus proving that China is cementing its presence in Central Africa and the continent.
On the other hand, issues such as import of Chinese labour, especially by Chinese firms involved in construction
projects, low wages, harsh working conditions, and environmental degradation are arousing feelings of
resentments within local populations. Riots have been documented in Chinese-operated mines in Zambia, as a
result of accidents, which were blamed on neglect by management. There were also attacks by a rebel militia on
Chinese oil interests in Ethiopia.9 Chinese companies thus have the incentive to invest responsibly, so as to avoid
a fallout from grievances by locals.

6. Conclusion
Chinas presence in Central Africa and the rest of the continent has increased over the last decade. The emerging
superpower has proclaimed a policy of non-interference and non-intervention, but its ability to exert soft power on
the region should not be undermined. In turn, regional leaders seem to have found a reliable alternative to the
West and international financial institutions, due to Chinas indifference to political situations in their countries.
Yet, this comes at a cost. Respective governments in the region may lack the incentive to implement meaningful
reforms, including good governance, democracy, and rule of law. Without these values, Chinas investment may
be at risk, and the majority of local populations may not reap the benefits of its growing investment in their countries.
Chinas rising economy and its continued presence in Central Africa will eventually result in an end of the Wests
monopoly in the region since the end of the cold war. Due to its veto power, China provides regional leaders
especially those with difficult relationships with the international communitya shield in the UN Security Council.
However, Chinas unwillingness to exert hard power on this volatile region means that the balance of power is still
in favour of the US and France, who also maintain vast business interests there. China must also do more to
improve its investment practices in the region, so as to avoid competition from other rising powers, such as India
and Brazil.

Global Research, War in Africa: Countering Chinas Influence. French Military oversees Power-sharing Deal with US in
Central African Republic Available online at http://www.globalresearch.ca/war-in-africa-countering-chinas-influence-frenchmilitary-oversees-power-sharing-deal-with-us-in-central-african-republic/5321235 (Accessed 2 August, 2015).
9 Africa Practice, The Impact of the Chinese Presence in Africa Available Online at
http://www.davidandassociates.co.uk/davidandblog/newwork/China_in_Africa_5.pdf (Accessed 2 August, 2015).
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