Reaching out to Africa may have been the start of US President George W. Bush's pre-campaign promotion drive. But, for China, Africa is more than public relations; it is a key component in a larger plan to develop energy resources, export markets and support in the international community.
China has cultivated relations with African nations using economic, political and military support. Chinese funds and expertise aided in various projects, including the Nigerian rail system's US$520 million overhaul, more than US$14 million in soft loans and technical assistance grants to Kenya, and China Stadium in Mogadishu - Somalia's largest sports facility.
Conversely, the US has failed to effectively engage influential Africans. US policies are often designed for consumption by domestic constituencies and the media. Mr Bush punctuated this trip's objectives with a US$15 billion programme to combat Aids and US$100 million to fight terrorism. But these are American issues as much as African ones, and while they make great copy, the money will never flow without congressional support.
In short, while the US balances interest group pressures - from private firms, voters, human rights groups, the media, international public opinion, evangelical religious leaders, think-tanks and legislators - China acts quickly and quietly to achieve its aims and satisfy its partners. On July 3, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice explained that US 'policies and initiatives [are] designed to extend liberty, prosperity and peace on the [African] continent'. But these goals seem impractical when compared with China's pointed approach. While the US captures headlines, China promotes its image as a model for the developing world.
China's leaders do not sweeten policy for the consumption of legislatures and voters. Instead, their desire is to meet realistic strategic objectives, delivering a combination of grants, investment, construction projects and debt relief. China supports democracies and dictatorships, and works with regimes with dubious human rights records or terrorist ties. For example, in Sudan, according to recently declassified US State Department documents, China in 2000 agreed to 'finance and build a 212 megawatt gas-fired power station [and] an electrical power-generation station, [provide] a grant agreement worth US$2.5 million for 'any project' deemed worthy by Sudanese officials [and] promised diplomatic support to remove international sanctions'. China also 'wrote off US$1.2 billion in debts owed by African nations'.
On July 7, This Day, a Nigerian daily, explained that Africans welcome these methods: 'It is good to increase foreign aid to Africa, but it is better if Africa is also seen as a serious partner for investment and trade. The debt over-hang limits the ability of many African countries to deliver on good governance, and fuels the vicious cycle of poverty, disease and wars.'
China's leaders and state-owned firms act decisively, wooing African business, political and military leaders. And without a free press or informed polity to cater to, China's leaders remain unburdened and their goals unmuddled. To expand its economic and military influence, China supports government and rebel fighters in Angola, Rwanda, Sudan and elsewhere.