China shakes up old order of Western donors with surge in aid to Africa
As US considers taking a step back on foreign aid, countries such as Japan and India are trying to counter Beijing’s growing clout in the region, analysts say
China’s surge in financial support to Africa has upended the established order of global aid led by the United States, and other countries such as Japan and India are trying to counter Beijing’s growing influence in the region, analysts say.
As China continues to expand its footprint on the continent, which it sees as a key part of its global infrastructure drive, it has shaken up the old order dominated by Western donors and former colonial powers, and prompted a shift in Africa’s relations with other countries.
But it comes amid concerns over mounting debt and the trade imbalance between China and Africa, as well as scepticism from the West about Beijing’s intentions in the region and beyond under its signature “Belt and Road Initiative”.
Pang Zhongying, a foreign affairs specialist at the Ocean University of China, said China’s foray into Africa over the last two decades had created tensions with traditional players in the region, particularly the United States and the European Union.