Who does China prioritise? Our first infographic sheds some light
Whether you see it as taking place at the beginning of the calendar year or at the end of the Chinese year, the now annual visit by the Chinese Foreign Minister to the African continent is a remarkable tradition. Alongside its latest Africa policy white paper, it makes China’s foreign policy quite unique compared to its global counterparts. Partly because of this visit, which usually ends up covering 4 to 5 countries within a week, the Chinese leadership can be proud of having made a stunning total of 79 visits to 43 different African countries over the past 10 years. There is no other country that can boast such a record.
But here at Development Reimagined we don’t believe it’s helpful to promote simple one line headlines about China’s engagement with African countries, nor any others for that matter. What is more interesting is getting behind the broad headlines.
That’s why we’ve produced our first infographic, our first in 2018, exploring the question of exactly where the Chinese leadership have visited within the African continent over the past 10 years. When filing through news reports in Chinese, English and French to gather the data, we wondered what we might discover about Sino-Africa relations. Would the data reveal, for example, media stereotypes that China has prioritised visiting corrupt autocrats? Would it confirm speculation that countries with the largest natural resources are China’s focus? Or, would it reveal that China prioritises the poorest and most vulnerable countries, a narrative which the government is keen to promote?
The answer is – well, none of these. In fact, we found some surprising and not so surprising results. First, South Africa was the top visited country overall, with a total of 7 visits by the Chinese leadership since 2007, including most recently for the 2015 Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit. As the most developed – although these days less dynamic – economy on the continent, this made sense to us. South Africa does still have the largest stock of Chinese FDI in Africa. Tanzania and Zambia, with 4 and 3 visits respectively, also made sense, as the Tazara railway was until very recently the largest Chinese-built train line on the continent. But other top hitters surprised us. For instance Chad, typically classified as a fragile state, received high-level visits in 2007, 2011 and 2017. Namibia – rather than its neighbour Angola – was also amongst the top most visited, despite the latter having borrowed the most loans from Chinese financiers than any other African country to date.
The countries the leadership hasn’t visited were also of note. Obviously, the two remaining African countries that have diplomatic ties with Taiwan are non-grata in China’s books. But we found it fascinating that despite all the work China has been doing to support peace in the Horn of Africa, the leadership has not recently visited Somalia or South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, which also has large oil reserves. Several island countries are also waiting for an inaugural high-level visit.
To add more intrigue, China doesn’t (yet) appear to favour the East African region over others, even though on official maps the region appears as the entry point for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Nor does China seem to favour richer countries. We found that the leadership have visited 26 of the total 33 African countries that are classified as least developed.
So what does this mean overall for those seeking to understand China’s foreign policy? In one sentence – the data tells us that grand, simplistic narratives are cliched and wrong. We did not compile and share this information to speculate or even spin niceties about China’s foreign policy. Instead, we compiled it in order to be able to look at each country’s individual relationship with China with more clarity going forwards. This is what is most insightful, and crucial. Our CEO has said it many times before, but Africa is not one country. Sharing country-by-country analysis can arm African governments and others with better information about where they sit within China’s priorities, providing new, measurable indicators for them to track progress in that relationship.
High-level visits are just one indicator, and, as our analysis demonstrates, a fairly blunt one at that. We plan over the coming year, as a “public good”, to analyse and share information on other indicators, which may be useful for African and other leaders to use in their Chinese engagement plans. This will be particularly helpful as the 7th Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), to be held in September this year, draws closer.
So watch this space, and expect more infographics providing a fresh view on China’s global footprint and other international development trends from us soon. And if you have a burning question for an infographic, do share it with us! We can’t wait to share our findings with you.
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[…] de consultant Development Reimagined. En reprenant le fil de ces tournées, elle propose une carte originale et surprenante de la Chine-Afrique basée sur ce […]
[…] du cabinet de consultant Development Reimagined. En reprenant le fil de ces tournées, elle propose une carte originale et surprenante de la Chine-Afrique basée sur ce […]
[…] du cabinet de consultant Development Reimagined. En reprenant le fil de ces tournées, elle propose une carte originale et surprenante de la Chine-Afrique basée sur ce […]
[…] du cabinet de consultant Development Reimagined. En reprenant le fil de ces tournées, elle propose une carte originale et surprenante de la Chine-Afrique basée sur ce […]
[…] cabinet de consultant Development Reimagined. En reprenant le fil de ces tournées, elle propose une carte originale et surprenante de la Chine-Afrique basée sur […]
[…] du cabinet de consultant Development Reimagined. En reprenant le fil de ces tournées, elle propose une carte originale et surprenante de la Chine-Afrique basée sur ce […]
[…] the first Kenyan wholly foreign owned enterprise in China, recently published their first infographic on Chinese leaders traveling to Africa. According to their study, the Chinese leadership has made […]
[…] China’s top leadership (the president, premier and foreign minister) has made a total of 79 visits to 43 different African countries over the past 10 years, according to international consulting firm Development Reimagined. […]
[…] the founder of Development Reimagined and led the research on Chinese official travel to Africa to produce a compelling new infographic detailing the past decade of Chinese travel patterns across the continent. Hannah joins Eric & […]
[…] China’s top leadership (the president, premier and foreign minister) has made a total of 79 visits to 43 different African countries over the past 10 years, according to international consulting firm Development Reimagined. […]
[…] The 2018 FOCAC summit comes on the heels of a visit by President Xi to Senegal, Rwanda, Mauritius and South Africa, where he met with fellow heads of state. This was the first international visit by Xi since assuming his second term of office in March of this year. Africa was also the first foreign destination he sought out upon when assuming the reins of state, with a maiden tour that included the Republic of Congo and South Africa. Such visits, though they often receive little attention in West, are not uncommon: top-level Chinese officials have in the past decade made over 80 official visits to Africa. […]
[…] the different Chinese presidents and premiers, meaning that in just one decade—over 2008-2018—China’s leaders visited 43 of the 55 African countries. In contrast, the UK’s leadership visited 23 countries, with huge time gaps. Before Theresa […]
[…] the different Chinese presidents and premiers, meaning that in just one decade—over 2008-2018—China’s leaders visited 43 of the 55 African countries. In contrast, the UK’s leadership visited 23 countries, with huge time gaps. Before Theresa […]
[…] gestärkt, was bedeutet, dass in nur einem Jahrzehnt – im Zeitraum 2008-2018 –Chinas Führer besuchten 43 der 55 afrikanischen Länder. Im Gegensatz dazu ist die Die britische Führung besuchte 23 Ländermit großen zeitlichen […]
[…] IT TAKES MORE THAN THROWING A GOOD PARTY: “[From] 2008-2018, China’s leaders visited 43 of the 55 African countries. In contrast, the UK’s leadership visited 23 countries, with huge time […]
[…] Since then, that tradition has continued, bolstered by fairly regular visits by the different Chinese presidents and premiers, meaning that in just one decade—over 2008-2018—China’s leaders visited 43 of the 55 African countries. […]
[…] la punta del iceberg. La consultora Development Reimagined, con sede en Pekín, realizó en 2018 un estudio sobre los viajes de delegaciones chinas al continente. El resultado fue espectacular: 79 visitas a 43 países en 10 años (2007-2017). A la […]
[…] la punta del iceberg. La consultora Development Reimagined, con sede en Pekín, realizó en 2018 un estudio sobre los viajes de delegaciones chinas al continente. El resultado fue espectacular: 79 visitas a 43 países en 10 años (2007-2017). A la […]
[…] la punta del iceberg. La consultora Development Reimagined, con sede en Pekín, realizó en 2018 un estudio sobre los viajes de delegaciones chinas al continente. El resultado fue espectacular: 79 visitas a 43 países en 10 años (2007-2017). A la […]
[…] la punta del iceberg. La consultora Development Reimagined, con sede en Pekín, realizó en 2018 un estudio sobre los viajes de delegaciones chinas al continente. El resultado fue espectacular: 79 visitas a 43 países en 10 años (2007-2017). A la […]
[…] la punta del iceberg. La consultora Development Reimagined, con sede en Pekín, realizó en 2018 un estudio sobre los viajes de delegaciones chinas al continente. El resultado fue espectacular: 79 visitas a 43 países en 10 años (2007-2017). A la […]
[…] la punta del iceberg. La consultora Development Reimagined, con sede en Pekín, realizó en 2018 un estudio sobre los viajes de delegaciones chinas al continente. El resultado fue espectacular: 79 visitas a 43 países en 10 años (2007-2017). A la […]
[…] la punta del iceberg. La consultora Development Reimagined, con sede en Pekín, realizó en 2018 un estudio sobre los viajes de delegaciones chinas al continente. El resultado fue espectacular: 79 visitas a 43 países en 10 años (2007-2017). A la […]
[…] la punta del iceberg. La consultora Development Reimagined, con sede en Pekín, realizó en 2018 un estudio sobre los viajes de delegaciones chinas al continente. El resultado fue espectacular: 79 visitas a 43 países en 10 años (2007-2017). A la […]
[…] la punta del iceberg. La consultora Development Reimagined, con sede en Pekín, realizó en 2018 un estudio sobre los viajes de delegaciones chinas al continente. El resultado fue espectacular: 79 visitas a 43 países en 10 años (2007-2017). A la […]
[…] empire in the nineteenth century. This time, however, China has got there first. According to Development Reimagined, between 2007 and 2017 top Chinese leaders made 79 visits to 43 African […]
[…] China’s top leaders have made a total of 79 visits to 43 different African countries over the past ten years, according to consulting firm Development Reimagined. […]
Leave a CommentHANNAH RYDER
Founder and CEO
Hannah Ryder is the Founder & CEO of Development Reimagined. A former diplomat and economist with 20 years of experience, named one of 100 most influential Africans in 2021, she is also Senior Associate for the Africa Program of the Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS), sits on the Board of the Environmental Defence Fund, and is a member of UAE's International Advisory Council on the New Economy. Prior to her role at DR, Ms Ryder led the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s work with China to help it scale up and improve its cooperation with other developing countries, including in Africa. She has also played various advisory roles for the UN and OECD and co-authored the seminal Stern Review of the Economics of Climate Change in 2006.
LEAH LYNCH
Deputy Director
Leah Lynch is Deputy Director of Development Reimagined (DR), and head of the China office. Leah has over 10 years of experience in development and has lived in China for over 8 years. Leah has also travelled extensively around Asia and Africa for research. Leah supports the strategic direction of the team across China, with a mission to deliver high quality research on sustainable development and poverty reduction. Leah is also Chair of the Sustainability Forum at the British Chamber of Commerce in China, providing direction on sustainability initiatives for British and Chinese business. Leah has also consulted on various evaluations on UK aid (ICAI) and is a specialist on development cooperation from the UK and China. Leah has also consulted on various UN projects, including providing support to the UN China team during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Prior to DR, Leah was at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) China, supporting the UN’s portfolio on communication strategies, China’s South- South Cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Before UNDP, Leah lived and worked in Kenya developing sustainable water policies for the Kenyan government.
YIKE FU
China-Africa Policy Analyst
Yike Fu is a Policy Analyst and has been responsible for leading numerous areas of work, including on debt analysis in Africa and beyond, and China-Africa trade and investment logistics and analysis. She is the co-author of “African Debt Guide”, in which she challenged the narrative that Africa is in the midst of a new debt crisis by analysing data back to the 1970s and adopting new metrics to present the real story behind the data. She also developed a benchmark to compare the financial distribution of development partners such as the UK, US, Japan, France and China in Africa. Prior to her role at DR she worked at the International Finance Corporation and African Union Representational Mission to the US. She holds a Masters in International Affairs from George Washington University.
JUDITH MWAI
Research Analyst
Judith is a Research and Policy Analyst, where she specialises in Africa-China relations, international development, and diplomacy. During her time at Development Reimagined, Judith has co-authored several articles published in The Diplomat on debt and China-Barbados relations and was quoted by China Daily in a piece on Women Rights in China. Previously, Judith worked as a research analyst for an Advocate and Commissioner and Oats office in Kenya.
OVIGWE EGUEGU
Policy Analyst
Ovigwe specialises in geopolitics with particular reference to Africa in a changing Global Order. He is adept at critically analysing the politics of contemporary development processes and providing insight into the geopolitical interests that influence them. His work includes research, publications, tailored briefings and advising on global and regional trends, and issues at the nexus of geopolitics and development. Ovigwe appears frequently in media around the world such as Al Jazeera, TRT World, SABC, CGTN, BBC Radio, and other platforms.
JING CAI
Policy Analyst
Jing leads China-African health and agriculture cooperation research at Development Reimagined, having managed our FOCAC Policy Analysis and Advocacy project. She is also the co-author of “China-Africa Health Cooperation under FOCAC Umbrella”, in which she analysed China’s commitments around health cooperation since the first FOCAC summit and deepdived into four African countries’ health overview, challenges and cooperation with China as cases studies. Before DR, Jing worked at GIZ Cambodia on M&E of a disability advocacy project. She also worked as a translator with Chinese medical team in Benin.
PATRICK ANAM
Trade Policy Analyst
Patrick is an International Trade Policy and Trade Law Expert with over 5 years of experience. His expertise includes trade law, trade policy analysis and regional integration. He is currently engaged with Development Reimagined as a Senior Trade Analyst and was the lead author of Development Reimagined's recent Report on Africa-China Relations titled "From China-Africa to Africa- China: A Blue Print for a Green and Inclusive Continent-Wide Strategy Towards China." and “Reimaging FOCAC Going Forward.” Patrick has previously consulted for the East African Community, UNECA and for the Kenya Ministry of Trade.
ROSIE FLOWERS
Senior Policy Analyst
Rosemary is our Senior Policy Analyst. She is a skilled policy analyst and has previously worked as a UK civil servant. She is studying Human Rights at Birkbeck, University of London with a research focus on international law in the context of health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
JADE SCARFE
Project Manager and Africa-China Communication Assistant
Jade is a Project Manager for Development Reimagined’s flagship project Africa Unconstrained, which focuses on financing needs and debt vulnerabilities of African countries. Her research focuses on China-Africa development finance alongside debt vulnerabilities, infrastructure needs and South-South cooperation. She has worked with a breadth of stakeholders from China, Africa and the wider international community, including governments, private sector, NGOs and civil society. Her writing has appeared in a number of publications, including The Africa Report, The China-Africa Project, The Diplomat and more. Jade holds a Master’s in China and Globalisation studies from King’s College London.
ROSIE WIGMORE
Programme Manager
Rosie is the Project Manager of Africa Reimagined (AR) at Development Reimagined (DR) where she supports high-end African brands with entering the Chinese market by operating services such as trademark protection, Chinese market research, Chinese partnership building, and Africa to China logistical support and import/export services. Rosie has worked with DR for over two years now with proven success in helping high-end African brands navigate the Chinese market. She is extremely passionate about her work because more African brands selling in the Chinese marketplace means African countries can export MORE value-added goods, create MORE jobs and foster MORE innovation in African countries.
Rosie is also alumni of the School of International Studies at Peking University in Beijing where she is also an editor at the Peking Africa Think Tank. PATT is led by a diverse group of scholars who specialise in African Studies within the context of Sino-Africa relations.
LAUREN ASHMORE
Consultant
Lauren has lived in six countries from the Americas to Europe and Asia and speaks both French and Spanish proficiently. At Development Reimagined, Lauren’s research focuses on climate action both in the Asia-Pacific and in Africa, and how countries are using tools such as SDGs and Covid-19 action to build a more climate-resilient future. She holds a Masters in International Relations from Leiden University.
ETSEHIWOT KEBRET
Consultant
Etsehiwot holds a Masters’s degree in Development Studies from the London School of Economics. She has diverse experience in humanitarian and development issues by working in both multilateral organizations and international non-governmental organizations. Etsehiwot is currently a consultant focusing on the SDGs and development finance.
DIBEKULU MULU
Economist Consultant
Dibekulu is an economist by training. He holds an MSc in International Development Studies from Palacky University Olomouc, an MSc in Development Economics from the University of Clermont Auvergne, and an MSc in Economics, Finance, and International Integration from the University of Pavia. At Development Reimagined, he works as an Economist consultant. He has strong data analysis skills, with research interests centring around development finance, impact assessment, food security, and agricultural insurance.
OSARU OMOSIGHO
Project Manager
Osaru is a health professional with an MSc in Health Systems Policy and an interest in women’s health and population management. At Development Reimagined, she applies her health sector experience to global health research and collating locally applicable development insights from China.
PIER FERDINANDO CINOTTO
Research Analyst
Ferdinando’s research at Development Reimagined is centred on South-South Cooperation dynamics, specifically on the analysis of Chinese investment and debt flows in Africa and their linkages to African industrialisation. He is currently a Yenching Scholar at Peking University, after having graduated from the University of Cambridge with an MPhil in Development Studies.
DAVID TINASHE NYAGWETA
Research Analyst
David is a Research and data analyst at Development Reimagined. His scholarly focus is mostly on interdisciplinary research in demographic economics and development with interests in migration, economic development and policy, education, health and subjective well-being. He is currently a PhD scholar at Nelson Mandela University from which he also holds B.com Economics and Statistics and M.com respectively.
JOY ENE
Research And Data Analyst China
Joy Ene is a Research and Data Analyst at DR. Joy is passionate about African/global development, poverty eradication and trade policies between underdeveloped and developing countries. She is also a fourth-year student of International Economics and Trade at the Liaoning University, Shenyang, China. She serves as the President of the Student Union, Liaoning University, International Students chapter.
Yixin Yu
Research Analyst
Yixin is a Junior Research Analyst and her focus areas is on public-private partnership and entrepreneurship. She has over three years of working experience in both private and public sectors in Ethiopia. She was the China Liaison Officer for project ‘Partnership for Investment and Growth in Africa’ at International Trade Centre, where she accumulated rich experience in investment and trade promotion
HANNAH RYDER Founder and CEO
Hannah Ryder is the Founder & CEO of Development Reimagined. A former diplomat and economist with 20 years of experience, named one of 100 most influential Africans in 2021, she is also Senior Associate for the Africa Program of the Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS), sits on the Board of the Environmental Defence Fund, and is a member of UAE's International Advisory Council on the New Economy. Prior to her role at DR, Ms Ryder led the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s work with China to help it scale up and improve its cooperation with other developing countries, including in Africa. She has also played various advisory roles for the UN and OECD and co-authored the seminal Stern Review of the Economics of Climate Change in 2006.
China has & is still playing a crucial developmental role in post-colonial Africa. Transport like railway linestation are important in development more so if it promotes intra-countries trade.
As an industrious African, I will countries that are very objective in their technology transfer initiative in Africa. But, where countries like China would come to us with hidden agenda, just to us due of avoidable technical deficiency, it brings more pain to we the younger generation.
I still prefer that the Americans and Europeans invest in our continent.
Please, I need more info on Chinese engagement with Africa, especially our corrupt leaders.
Thanks.
Brilliant infographic and insightful piece.
I’m not sure why Andrea inversed the colour ramp in the pie chart vs the map. Now I have to re-read the key because blue is no longer equal to lower numbers / low interest and all of a sudden it a high-interest indicator. Sigh.
Loved it otherwise. Great work. 🙂
Thank you so much for your detailed look at the infographic! We will definitely be more consistent with the colours next time!
Quite interesting and refreshing approach to looking at Africa-China engagements. Out of interest will it also be feasible to compare Chinese visits with for say developed countries e.g. the USA, U.K, France and see how they each fair? Then we will be able to draw better judgement, not to say we can not now. But congratulations, you have done excellent work, and keep it coming. Cant wait for your 2.0 reloaded….