Shaking hands or colonizing lands?

In recent years, some Western media and institutions have accused China of practicing "neo-colonialism" in Africa, and depicted the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a "road to ruin." In the eyes of some Westerners, the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and African countries under the BRI is distorted as China "exploits Africa's resources" and "deprives them of their sovereignty."

In reality, China never interferes in the internal affairs of African countries and doesn't attach any political condition to its assistance. Then how can it infringe their sovereignty? Whether about "debt traps" or "loss of sovereignty," is just another way of pushing the "China threat" theory. In contrast, some Western nations, led by the U.S., have established military bases, engaged in unequal trade practices, and used multinational corporations to exploit African resources and control its economies, impeding its development.

When it comes to infringing on sovereignty, one country stands out globally: The U.S. has repeatedly instigated and encouraged the Philippines to stir up trouble in the South China Sea, attempting to infringe China's sovereignty. Besides, the U.S. has ignored the United Nations General Assembly's call for 31 consecutive years to end its blockade of Cuba, all the while claiming to promote democracy and freedom, not to mention the numerous wars it has waged throughout history.

Western powers are infamously well-known for a centuries-long history of colonizing Africa — dividing lands, plundering resources, and enslaving its people. Now, some Western countries are attempting to slander China as a "neo-colonial" force in Africa. This reflects some Western countries fear that China's growing presence is threatening their long-held interests. By sowing dissension between China and Africa, they aim to maintain the privileges they've enjoyed on the continent for centuries long.

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