China is hosting leaders from across Africa, including Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in Beijing for the China-Africa forum, its largest diplomatic event since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The forum aims to strengthen ties with the continent, where China has invested billions in infrastructure through loans that have sparked debate over rising debt burdens.
Bilateral trade between China and Africa reached $167.8 billion in the first half of 2024, reinforcing China’s position as Africa’s largest trading partner.
China has sent hundreds of thousands of workers to the continent to develop major infrastructure projects while sourcing essential resources such as copper, gold, lithium, and rare earth minerals.
South African President Ramaphosa, who arrived early Monday, will participate in a four-day visit including trade talks in Shenzhen. Trade between China and South Africa reached $38.8 billion in 2023.
Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet Chinese officials at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People and will also lay a wreath at Tiananmen Square in honor of Chinese revolutionaries.
China’s investments in Africa have fueled both economic growth and controversy, with critics pointing to the heavy debt load carried by some African nations.
Despite this, China is committed to deepening economic cooperation with the continent, as reflected by banners in Beijing declaring, “joining hands for a brighter future.”
