In February 2023, Xi addressed top official, stating that “Chinese style modernization breaks the myth of ‘modernization equals Westernization’  and provides a “Chinese solution for human beings to explore a letter social system”. According to World System Theory(WST),  every world system has distinct life cycle e.g, a beginning, a middle and an end. Therefore, China’s political , economic and military engagement in Africa seems as a beginning phase of China’s dominant New world system.

After Cold war, an end phase of Western capitalist system started because of globalization. According to WST, when an end phase starts then its an opportunity for other systems to replace it. Therefore, China’s influence in African continent is leading to the beginning phase of Chinese dominant New World System.

China is gaining  economic influence in Africa through investment, loans and infrastructure development especially BRI. Similarly, political influence through, FOCAC, diplomatic outreach and soft power. Moreover, military influence through peacekeeping missions, military bases, arms sales and security training. China’s dominance in Africa is to secure natural resources necessary for China’s future.

China’s Belt and Road initiative launched in 2013, was another shift to renew the Old Silk trade route along the east African coast

Firstly, China dominates the African continent through economic development. From history, its evident that China wanted economic influence in Africa. In 1999, Chinese government started “Going Global Strategy” which helped Chinese companies to invest in foreign states and this was the turning point which shifted Chinese economic interest towards African continent. China’s Belt and Road initiative launched in 2013, was another shift to renew the Old Silk trade route along the east African coast.

China’s economic engagement in Africa is increasing day by day. Now we see that China’s investment and loans declined in Africa. Its not because of having no interest but because of some changes in policies e.g,. China decreased its loans because some African countries were unable to repay loans. Similarly, China investment change from the government towards private sectors. China’s economic dominance is for getting some long term goals for example, access to the African continent’s natural resources and making new market for Chinese goods etc.

In 2022, China and Africa trade volume reached $262 billion which is three times the trade volume between US and Africa

In 2022, China and Africa trade volume reached $262 billion which is three times the trade volume between US and Africa. China needs raw materials for industrial production. Chinese mining and battery companies invested $4.5 billion in Lithium mines in 2023, in countries like Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mali. In 2023, China’s FDI to Africa was $42 billion. China has invested 2.5 times more in Africa than all western countries combined.

Secondly, China is seeking to spread China’s political and governance model in Africa. China’s CCP party started first overseas school called Nyerere leadership school in Tanzania. This is a political school and China used it for sharing of Chinese governance model in Africa. Collin Ngujapeau, senior official of Namibia’s ruling SWAPO party said that “ They are working hand in hand”. This term refers to the CCP’s founding principles of “absolute party control of government “ or “one post two responsibilities system”. This is result of China’s struggle to shift multiparty system to a single power.

In 2020, the Secretary General of Kenya’s dominant Jubilee party said that “Jubliee party can only inspire if some lessons are learned from the CCP”.

Congo’s ruling party stated that “Congo will stand firmly on China’s side under any circumstances “. Similarly, in 2019, about 17 countries from African continent signed a letter to the UN Human Rights council to support China’s domestic policies in Xinjiang province.

About 54 African countries representation is in the UN which makes one quarter of the total and this is very important for China

About 54 African countries representation is in the UN which makes one quarter of the total and this is very important for China. Because their votes in UN and Security council can benefit in promoting China’s political model and countering US led democratic influence and also can benefit China’s territorial claims.

If you ask me, when is the time that the PLA Navy became a Blue water Navy, I would argue that it was at the end of 2008, when PLA flotillas went to Gulf of Aden for counter piracy operations

Thirdly, The China’s People Republic Army sees African continent as very important for “far seas operations “. Senior Colonel (Ret.) Zhou Bo, who commanded People’s republic army anti piracy operations in Africa from 2009-2015, said that,

“If you ask me, when is the time that the PLA Navy became a Blue water Navy, I would argue that it was at the end of 2008, when PLA flotillas went to Gulf of Aden for counter piracy operations, he also said that we are making progress in our own way, without fighting”.

This statement highlights China’s ambition of world leadership.  Because, for world super power its necessary that you should have all the three powers for example political power, economic power and military power.

China is increasing its military dominance in Africa through FOCAC and also military arms sales. China and Africa have conducted 19 military exercises, 44 naval port calls and 276 senior defense exchanges since 2000

China uses military influence in Africa to secure strategic objectives. China established first overseas military base in Djibouti, Africa in 2017. China is increasing its military dominance in Africa through FOCAC and also military arms sales. China and Africa have conducted 19 military exercises, 44 naval port calls and 276 senior defense exchanges since 2000. Similarly, China has more UN peacekeeping missions troops deployed in Africa then any other country. China’s military engagement in Africa aims to increase influence and to secure natural resources and to counter US led democratic influence.

The important finding is that China believes that the current democratic world system is in its end stage and therefore China is trying to replace this world system by China’s dominant world system. Analysis of China’s engagement and its future goals in Africa under the lens of world system theory provides best understanding of geopolitical development.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.