China’s Military and Economic Diplomacy Undermining U.S. Influence in Africa and Asia
Image courtesy of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China. Xi Jinping at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
Free weapons for some and crippling loans for others—Beijing is back on its diplomatic offensive to counter the U.S.
At the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), held from September 4 to 6, Chinese leader Xi Jinping urged African nations to recommit to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), despite widespread criticisms labeling the project a debt trap. While Beijing denies these accusations, around 60% of low-income countries are facing debt distress, with BRI loans often being the tipping point. Many projects remain unfinished, and others provide little to no benefit to local populations in the debtor countries.
