China’s strategy in Africa ‘isn’t always working’, Biden UN nominee Linda Thomas-Greenfield tells senators

Nominee for UN ambassador post tried to address Republican concerns over Beijing’s influence on the continent during confirmation hearing

Veteran diplomat’s comments hint at fresh efforts to win over African leaders rather than just seeking to counter Beijing

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Linda Thomas-Greenfield told senators that she regretted a speech to a Confucius Institute in Georgia. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 7:00pm, 31 Jan 2021Updated: 11:16am, 18 Feb 2021

The Senate confirmation hearing for Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Joe Biden’s nominee to be US ambassador to the United Nations, provided clues on Washington’s Africa policy and how the new administration will try to counter Chinese influence on the continent.

During the hearing on Wednesday, Thomas-Greenfield faced hostile questioning from members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations who wanted an explanation on how she would respond to China’s rising power at the UN Security Council and in Africa, where it has advanced billions of dollars for the construction of highways, hydropower plants and railways across Africa.

She also faced questions over a 2019 speech to a Confucius Institute in which she praised Beijing’s policies, and admitted it was a “huge mistake”.

Utah Republican Mitt Romney asked Thomas-Greenfield whether China’s strategy in Africa has worked out for the African nations and for China.

The veteran US diplomat said although China is working hard to counter American influence in Africa, “it isn’t always working for both Africa and China” and she wanted the US to take advantage of that and be more “proactive in our engagements on the continent”.