Is China 'colonizing' Africa? Cooperation differs from colonialism

Editor's note: Some Western countries, particularly the U.S., accuse China of using the Belt and Road Initiative to "dump" its excess capacity in Africa. However, unlike the West's historical exploitation and neglect of Africa's needs, China supports Africa's industrialization with high-quality production capacity and promotes sustainable growth. China-Africa cooperation is giving a huge boost to Africa's economic development. CGTN's new series "China-Africa Cooperation: Debunking Western Myths" aims to put the record straight. This is the fifth episode in the series.

"Chinese colonialism?"

"China in Africa: win-win development, or a new colonialism?"

"Why loan sharks like China are Africa's new colonizers?"

"Is China a new colonial power?"

"Colonialism" – a term frequently found in history textbooks, typically associated with the Western plundering of the Americas, Africa and Asia – has now been repurposed by certain Western media and politicians to describe China's activities in Africa over the past decades.

Évariste Ndayishimiye, president of Burundi, said, "China does not come to conquer others. However, the problem is that there are major countries that attempt to impose their will and dictate policies in African countries, seeking to interfere in local affairs. By contrast, China's approach has no strings attached."

Julius Maada Bio, president of the Republic of Sierra Leone, added, "Africa's relationship with China is under scrutiny. Quite a lot of people, organizations and countries are trying to look at this (relationship) as predatory. I would, on behalf of my own country, say that we are not fools. We have gone willingly into a relationship that we think is a win-win. We have relationships with other countries around the world, which have been going on for centuries, and we have not benefited."

So why does the West accuse China of practicing colonialism in Africa?

Burundian President Ndayishimiye gave his answer: " When the past colonizers see China's rising strength and China's desire to cooperate with African countries, they may adopt a mindset imbued with colonialism, a mindset that follows stereotypes."

Kwesi Pratt, founder of Pan African Television, said, "We have to understand that we are discussing this within the context of an anti-China hysteria, which is deliberately fueled by the Western governments, Western intelligence agencies and the media. It's a vigorous anti-China hysteria."

Then, what is the current state of China-Africa relations?

China has played a pivotal role in contributing to Africa's development by constructing and renovating vital infrastructure like dams, roads and hospitals, which have bolstered regional integration, trade and industrialization. Hence, most African nations value their cooperation with China because it supports their development goals.

For example, Nigeria hopes that collaboration with China will stabilize its economy amid declining oil prices. Meanwhile, East African countries like Kenya are partnering with China to enhance regional connectivity through infrastructure development.

In healthcare, China's medical aid support has significantly improved access and wellbeing. Education and technical training initiatives, such as scholarships and the establishment of Confucius Institutes and Luban workshops, etc. have enhanced human capital and supported Africa's modernization.

Omar Shoukry Sakr, founder and CEO of Nawah Scientific, said, "We have a strong relationship with China. It's a win-win relationship. Chinese people are bringing to Egypt a lot of know-how, a lot of commodities that would be very expensive for us to produce in house. (And we are) trading, so we are exporting a lot of stuff also to China."

China-Africa cooperation, in stark contrast to the colonial mindsets of some Western nations, is based on mutual respect, equality and shared benefits, making it a model for South-South cooperation.

And how do Africans view China-Africa relations and the accusation that China is a rising colonial power?

Omar Shoukry Sakr, founder and CEO of Nawah Scientific, responded, "I beg to differ. So I know what colonialism is. Colonialism is different from cooperation."

Temie Giwa-Tubosun, CEO at LifeBank, argued, "Africa is open for business. As long as we're doing business on an equal footing, then it's not colonialism. It's just business."

Bertrand Foffe, managing dierctor of Jangolo, pointed out that "At the end of the day, the world is made by people who actually do things. Right? If you complain about it, then it's colonialism for the whole world."

David Monyae, director of the Centre for Africa-China Studies at University of Johannesburg, said that "And (what) China and Africa have something in common is that both China and Africa had hundred years of humiliation at the hands of Western colonial powers. So it is ironic that the very same powers have the audacity to use the very same term towards China."

Claims that China is "colonizing" Africa miss the mark.

In fact, China-Africa cooperation exemplifies international relations based on equality, not domination, showcasing a new, sincere approach to global partnerships rooted in mutual respect and benefit. At the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, leaders from both sides will share their foresights and foster cooperation based on the theme, "Joining hands to advance modernization and build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future." Together, China and Africa will drive global modernization and shared development.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on X, formerly Twitter, to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)