Is China Reshaping the African Landscape?

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to identify the ways in which China is reshaping the African landscape. The goal is to show how China has developed a strategy, to build close ties with countries in Africa to market their products. The focus of the research is to show how China has made a huge impact in Africa the past twenty years. Twenty years ago, China’s influence in Africa was scarce. Today, China’s strategy includes Africa and its vast resources. China’s growing industrial businesses in energy, petroleum, mineral deposits, and raw materials have them looking outside their country to fulfill their needs. Africa with its large quantity of natural resources has caught the attention of the Chinese government. The Chinese seek additional connections with the countries of Africa. China’s arrival as a global power, is seeking to transform the African continent. Several African countries have embraced the Chinese as a partner, which can help them with their infrastructure, economies, military, and foreign direct investments. African leaders have embraced China as a superpower on the continent. China is putting into place programs that will address these issues. China’s ideas are to introduce and reinforce its growing economic and political influence in Africa. Various authors on this subject have referred to China as the “Crouching tiger” and Africa as the “Hidden dragon.” Eventually, Africa will be a strong test to China and its influence abroad. The United States has mostly ignored the African continent. Would an established Chinese presence come back to haunt the United States in the future or is this also a wakeup call for the United States, to become more involved with the nations of Africa; or does China already have too much of a first-mover advantage?