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Sino–African relations, also referred to as Africa–China relations or Afro–Chinese relations, are the historical, political, economic, military, social, and cultural connections between China and the African continent.
Little is known about ancient relations between China and Africa, though there is some evidence of early trade connections. Highlights of medieval contacts include the 14th-century journey of Moroccan scholar Ibn Battuta,[1] the 14th-century visit of Somali scholar and explorer Sa'id of Mogadishu and the 15th-century Ming dynasty voyages of Chinese admiral Zheng He.
Modern political and economic relations between mainland China and the African continent commenced in the era of Mao Zedong, following the victory of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the Chinese Civil War. At the turn of the 21st century, the modern state of the People's Republic of China (PRC) built increasingly strong economic ties with Africa. In 2013, it was estimated that one million Chinese citizens were residing in Africa.[2][needs update] Additionally, Howard French estimated that two million Africans were working in China in 2017.[3]
In 1971, China received the support from 26 African nations in the UN to take over the seat from Taiwan.[4] Mao Zedong was grateful for the support and said, "It is our African brothers who have carried us into the UN".[5] Today almost all African nations officially recognise the economically larger China (People's Republic of China) over Taiwan in search of economic advantage (aid, trade and FDI).[6] As of 2024, Eswatini and the self-declared Republic of Somaliland are the only two African states to have official relations with Taiwan, although Eswatini is the only African UN member that officially recognizes the Republic of China rather than the People's Republic.[7]
There have increasingly been closer political, security and economic ties between China and African nations.[5] Trade between China and Africa increased by 700% during the 1990s,[8] and China is currently Africa's largest trading partner.[9] In 2000, the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was established as a forum between African countries and China.
The China Africa Research Initiative estimated that there were over 88,371 Chinese workers in Africa in 2022, down from a high of 263,696 in 2015.[10]
- ^ Gin Ooi, Keat (2004) [2004]. Southeast Asia: a historical encyclopedia, from Angkor Wat to East Timor. ABC-CLIO. p. 626. ISBN 978-1-57607-770-2.
- ^ "Africa and China: More than minerals". The Economist. 23 March 2013. Archived from the original on 15 February 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
- ^ Zhou, Youyou (10 September 2019). "Why Chinese are traveling to Africa, and why Africans are traveling to China". Quartz. Archived from the original on 16 March 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- ^ MacLeod, Andrew. "When people say the West should support Taiwan, what exactly do they mean?". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ a b "The Chinese-African relationship is important to both sides, but also unbalanced". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Archived from the original on 5 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ Ndzendze, Bhaso (May 2021). "Domestic Audiences and Economic Opportunity Cost: African Democratisation as a Determinant in the Recognition of China over Taiwan, 2001–2018". Journal of Asian and African Studies. 56 (3): 434–454. doi:10.1177/0021909620926531. ISSN 0021-9096. S2CID 225703426.
- ^ "Taiwan-China Diplomatic Competition Comes to Somaliland". Archived from the original on 10 July 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
- ^ Servant, Jean-Christophe (1 May 2005). "China's trade safari in Africa". Le Monde diplomatique. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ Wonacott, Peter (2 September 2011). "In Africa, U.S. Watches China's Rise". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on 3 September 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
- ^ Barlett, Kate (16 March 2024). "Number of Chinese Workers in Africa Drops Substantially". Voice of America. Archived from the original on 16 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.