South Africa’s independent online news website published an article on June 26 by Kofi Kwaku, a senior researcher at the Africa-China Research Center at the University of Johannesburg. The article believes that France’s foreign policy in Africa is still paternalistic, narrow-minded and arrogant, and that the rise of China’s influence in Africa is unstoppable. The full text is excerpted as follows:
According to legend, Napoleon Bonaparte once said in 1816: "Then let China sleep, because when she wakes up, the whole world will tremble."
To this day, the relationship between France and China The competition in Africa has been going on for more than 20 years.
In the 19th century, France established itself as Africa's most greedy colonizer, becoming the most dominant colonial power in Africa compared to Britain, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
After more than a century of wealth extraction, not a single African country under French tutelage has been developed or is economically independent from France.
All these countries are still in a subordinate position, mostly poor countries, plagued by the four major problems of poverty, inequality, unemployment and corruption.
But France still denies its role in Africa's misfortunes and refuses to acknowledge the horrific reports released by international agencies and its responsibility.
Even more sadly, successive French governments have insisted on portraying France’s African policy as progressive and sustainable. However, evidence of colonial extraction by French companies and corrupt business practices in Africa persists in oil, gas, mineral trading, telecommunications and many sectors.
The French believe that Africa is their future. Without Africa, they have no future. Therefore, the French Senate issued a report in 2013. However, their ideals barely match their actions on the continent.
France's foreign policy in Africa - mainly towards its former colonies - is still seen as paternalistic, intolerant and arrogant. The geopolitical scramble for Africa's mineral-rich economies undermined France's ability to maintain colonial rule over many African countries.
This leaves room for other non-Western countries such as Russia and China. China, in particular, is filling the diplomatic and economic vacuum left by France. According to a recent special report titled "China in Africa" published by the British "Economist" magazine, "no country comes close to the depth and breadth of China's engagement in Africa."
China is Africa's largest trading partner and an important source of investment in Africa's infrastructure. Chinese companies account for about one-eighth of the continent's industrial output.
"The digital infrastructure built by China is a vital communication platform for the African people. Political, military and security relations between China and Africa are becoming increasingly closer. Understanding China-Africa relations is the key to understanding the African continent and China's global ambitions."
This is A powerful summary of China's achievements in Africa in a short period of time. A crude comparison between France and China also illustrates the point, with some vivid figures telling China’s compelling story in Africa.
There is clear evidence that the competition between China and France in Africa will benefit China now and in the future. The fierce geopolitical and geoeconomic competition in Africa shows that China is already ahead, ranking far above France.
In 2019, the International Monetary Fund reported that Africa is the fastest growing region in the world. The World Economic Forum predicts that Africa's population will double to about 2.2 billion by 2050.
China’s rise in geopolitical influence in Africa appears unstoppable. This influence makes Western countries, led by the United States, anxious and fearful. The Economist concluded in its special report: "The West must redouble its efforts to provide African countries with alternatives to China."
I agree. But does the West offer a truly non-paternalistic alternative?
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