January 15th, 2021

China-Africa diplomacy in 2021 kicks-off on a remarkable note

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China-Africa diplomacy began on a memorable note this year, in spite of the impact of the Corona Virus pandemic in 2020 and its much-feared second wave, signifying the reality that the pandemic is far from over in 2021.

On January 1, 2021, the China-Mauritius Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which was signed in October 2019, came to full force. The deal with Mauritius marks China’s first FTA with an African country. Its entry coincided with the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). As some development analysts posit, this development may result in China looking at using its FTA with Mauritius as a model for future agreements with other African countries.

With a view to sustaining a robust diplomatic relationship with Africa, China has in the past three decades, maintained a tradition of sending its foreign minister to Africa for his first trip of the New Year. Determined to keep that tradition, Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, defied the complications of the Corona Virus pandemic which has restricted most international travels for diplomats around the world and embarked on his tour of Africa. On January 4, 2021, Mr Wang Yi, departed China for a five-country tour that took him to first, Nigeria and then the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Botswana, Tanzania, and Seychelles.

The five-country tour which has been described as an exciting way to begin a new year despite the second wave of the Corona Virus was to fortify China-Africa cooperation while ensuring a successful defeat of the global crisis.

During the visits, Foreign Minister, Wang Yi held in-depth exchange and coordination with African countries with the aim of promoting the implementation of the critical consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and African leaders as well as the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against Covid-19. The visit also provided an opportunity for China to reiterate its support to African countries in combating the virus and achieving economic recovery, advance BRI cooperation, and build a closer China-Africa community with a shared future.

With a significant focus on economic cooperation, China may also be expecting diplomatic support from Africa with “the important mission of strengthening international cooperation and safeguarding common interests between China and Africa.”

“Nowadays, the world is becoming less peaceful, especially in recent years, unilateralism and power politics prevailed, the Cold War mentality is overflowing,” Wang said, adding, “There is an urgent need to strengthen communication and coordination between China and Africa, reveal the power of solidarity, send a common voice, safeguard the legitimate rights of the Chinese and African people to oppose outside interference, pursue fairness and justice, and lead a better life.”

During Wang’s visit to Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari appreciated China for her support in various ways to improve on the infrastructural development of Nigeria.
According to President Buhari, “sustainable development is impossible when a country is hobbled by severe infrastructural deficits.

“We thank China for its support to us in various ways; in the building of rail, road, power, defence, and many others. You are helping us to reduce our severe infrastructural deficits, and we are glad. There cannot be sustainable development without infrastructural development.”

He pledged that Nigeria would continue to honour its obligations in the relationship with the People’s Republic of China saying that China is making a big difference which is very much appreciated.

While applauding what he described as a “mutual trust and sound personal friendship” between the two presidents of both countries, Wang noted that that understanding had guided the bilateral relationship between China and Nigeria.

The Foreign Minister who revealed that “China loves to begin the year’s diplomatic work from Africa”, disclosed that Nigeria was chosen as the first port of call in 2021 because the year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He described Nigeria as a “country with great regional and international influence, adding: “We trust, understand and support each other. We will continue to value each other.”
Going forward, Mr Wang promised that his “country would encourage Chinese companies to increase their investments in Nigeria, while China would also readily share experience and techniques in areas like digital economy, defence, and many others”.