Over the past few decades, China has been slowly increasing its economic presence in Africa. China pledged $60 billion to invest in Africa in 2016 alone.
Which African nations receive this capital is dependent on their individual relationship with the Asian superpower. China has invested in both large-scale and small-scale enterprises, from railways to individual food vendors. The majority of the countries in Africa run large trade deficits with China, with China often choosing to forgive those from less developed nations. Yet this rise in economic influence has drawn outside criticism as some worry that Africa may become too dependent on this assistance and the influence that comes with it.
Yet what do these African nations think of China? Though there is a small degree of pushback, China's influence has generally been received positively. The populations of Mali, Niger, and Liberia approve of China's presence in their nations 92%, 84%, and 81% respectively. Much of this goodwill is a result of China's investment in infrastructure, as well as how they have made cellphones and cars more affordable to the general public. "They used to be very expensive, but because these are now flooding the market, the prices have dropped. People can now pick and choose among things that they didn't have access to in the past," states Mogopodi Lekorwe, professor of politics at the University of Botswana. One of the main drawbacks of the Chinese presence in these countries is anxiety over job competition. "The Chinese are available 24 hours to do work, whereas a local will say: 'Look, I have a family here,'" Lekorwe added.
One of the most effective ways in which China is increasing its soft power in Africa is through its offers of education. Many African students choose to study abroad in China for a variety of reasons. Some are drawn by the affordability of the education, even if they have no scholarship assistance. Others are interested in cultivating ties with and learning the language of a rising world power. However, Chinese visa rules prevent the vast majority of all international students from remaining in the country after their course of study is complete. As a result, a growing generation of African scholars and elites receive their education in China before returning to their home countries. Once home, they presumably are more likely to be willing to work with China in the future, and to view China more favorably.
However, if China hopes to cultivate truly positive relations with African nations, it will have to address the anti-African racism within its own borders. Chinese media often portrays African peoples as poor and helpless, and the continent itself as uncivilized. Such portrayals paint China positively as a benevolent, parental force that is intervening for the good of other nations. However, that is a proposition that African nations have heard before under European colonialism, and which did not end well. If China wants to achieve true soft power in Africa, it will have to attempt to act not as a paternalistic force but rather as a business partner that attempts to understand and respect the differences between peoples.