China-Africa ties. Why is this relationship so important?

CGTN Europe

CGTN Europe discuss this with Isabel Hilton, founder of China Dialogue.

Transcript

00:00Let's get more on the relationship between China and Africa.

00:04Isabel Hilton is the founder of the organization China Dialogue.

00:08Isabel, for 35 years, China's first foreign visit of the year has always been to Africa.

00:13Why is Africa so important to China?

00:16Well, Africa represents a number of things.

00:19It's a huge economic opportunity for China.

00:23You know, the fastest growing economies in the world are now in Africa.

00:28But it's also a great block of influence.

00:31And China positions itself as, if you like, the leader of the emerging economies.

00:37So in terms of votes in the United Nations, for example,

00:40or diplomatic support for China's position,

00:43China has stated its intention of rebalancing the global system

00:50away from established liberal democracies and towards emerging economies.

00:55Africa clearly plays a big part in that.

00:58And hence China's very assiduous cultivation of African leaders

01:02and its building of economic relations with Africa, which go back many, many years.

01:09How does the frequency of visits from China compare with visits from other global powers to Africa?

01:15Because let's face it, Africa is much sought after, thinking just purely for its minerals.

01:21It is much sought after.

01:23But honestly, if you look at the Chinese record,

01:26so you mentioned that for 35 years the Chinese foreign minister has made Africa his first trip of the year.

01:33We're celebrating this year 25 years of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation,

01:38which means that every three years more than 80 African leaders go to Beijing,

01:44where they have talks, where they're celebrated, where, you know, they're given a lot of respect.

01:50And if you look at the frequency or rather the infrequency of visits from, for example, American presidents,

01:57it's really startling.

01:59Very, very few visits from the United States at a very high level.

02:04And even in Europe, the old colonial powers, the frequency of visits is very, very much less than from China.

02:11So China has worked at this relationship.

02:15What do you see for Africa-China relations in 2025, particularly given the rapidly changing geopolitical context?

02:24Well, I think that there are, as you mentioned, some critical areas.

02:28So strategic minerals, lithium, for example, is very important.

02:32Energy is very important.

02:34I note that the visit to Nigeria and Chad, both of them are energy producers.

02:40And climate change is going to impact Africa very severely.

02:44So it would be a good thing.

02:47We have a big climate conference coming up in Brazil towards the end of the year

02:52when all countries are expected to put their nationally determined contributions on the table.

02:58I think it would be very encouraging for Africa if China were to present an ambition to cut its emissions quite radically

03:07because that's going to be necessary for African prosperity, for African survival.

03:13And I think also there are a number of bilateral issues.

03:16For example, the impact of Chinese imports on local industries in Nigeria

03:23and the general question of the balance of trade.

03:26I think some African leaders would be keen to talk about that.

03:29But it's a very solid relationship,

03:32and I'm sure that the issues that exist within the bilateral relationships will be the subject of discussion.

03:38Thank you so much.

03:39Isabel Hilton, the founder of the organization China Dialogue.

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