China’s top diplomat in the U.S., Ambassador Qin Gang, made waves at the Semafor Africa Summit this week, declaring Africa 'should be a place for international cooperation, not geopolitical chessboards.' 🗣️ His remarks come amid growing debates about global powers’ roles on the continent.
Pushing back against claims of a 'debt trap,' Qin emphasized China’s focus on infrastructure and 'win-win' partnerships. 🌟 'Our financial assistance is transparent and sincere—built to empower African economies, not exploit them,' he said, referencing projects like Kenya’s railway upgrades and Nigeria’s digital hubs.
A new report by South Africa’s Institute for Global Dialogue supports this view, noting U.S. engagement often seems more about 'countering China and Russia' than solving Africa’s challenges. 📊 Meanwhile, China’s non-interference policy has won praise from leaders in Ethiopia and Zambia.
Qin called for U.S.-China teamwork: 'As UN Security Council members, we share a duty to foster peace and prosperity here.' 🤝 But with Washington framing its Africa strategy around 'democracy vs. autocracy,' collaboration remains tricky.
One thing’s clear: African nations are driving their own foreign policies. As Qin put it, 'This continent isn’t a trophy—it’s a partner.' ✨
