The reason why China invited top African generals to Beijing 0
Affirming Beijing’s strategic interests in Africa, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense invited high-ranking military delegates from 50 African countries to attend the first China-Africa Security and Defense Forum.
Chinese military at the opening ceremony of the country’s military base in the African island nation of Djibouti on August 1, 2017
The article by DW news agency analyzed China’s increasingly complicated relationships on the dark continent.
China’s new cooperation strategies as a growing investor and trading partner in Africa were identified as a prominent theme at the 1st China-Africa Defense and Security Forum.
Invest widely in many African countries
“Securing trade routes is an important requirement for China because the northeast coast of Africa to the Suez Canal is part of the new maritime silk road, which is also part of the Belt and Road Initiative.
According to Mr. Coburg van Staden, `China has an increasingly complex relationship with Africa` as it has invested widely in many countries on this continent.
In fact, the Chinese military has gained some experience in African conflict zones.
China has begun to become increasingly involved in this area, for example providing financial support to African Union (AU) peacekeeping forces.
Export weapons and build military bases
Besides, over the past decade, arms exports have become an indispensable part of China’s security cooperation with Africa.
Overall, Africa plays a relatively small role in the global arms import market, accounting for just 7.2% between 2013 and 2017.
However, criticism of China’s arms sales to Africa has increased following reports that these weapons have been used in conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, and Sudan.
In August 2017, China opened its first overseas military base in Djibouti, located on the Gulf of Aden near the Red Sea, although the country’s media cautiously called it a `support base` and did not consider it a `support base`.
Notably, the small country of Djibouti also has a US military base, Camp Lemonnier, with 4,000 soldiers and units of the Anti-Terrorism Task Force.
According to Yen Chi
Security Capital
