China sends Africa a signal that Belt and Road Initiative is still open for business
- Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s tour of the continent saw Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo joining the multibillion-dollar project
- Beijing was keen to use the trip to signal it is still willing to fund infrastructure projects and rebuild strained relationships
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi used his recent visit to Africa to signal that Beijing was still willing to fund infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative despite fears that the multibillion-dollar scheme faces budget cuts.
During last week’s tour, which ranged from the islands of the Seychelles to the continent’s most populous country Nigeria, Wang also signalled that China was ready to help boost Africa’s industrial capacity and expand trade.
“China is prepared to help Africa increase its infrastructure, trade and financial connectivity,” he told a briefing in Tanzania on Friday.
He also signalled that Beijing was ready to step up its military and security cooperation with Africa and work towards a political settlement of conflicts, saying: “China is prepared to help Africa enhance peacekeeping and counterterrorism capacity, in a joint effort to build a secure Africa.”
Analysts said the visit, which also took in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Botswana, was intended to cement China’s diplomatic and economic influence on the continent and repair frayed relations with some countries.