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China-Africa relations: Chinese foreign minister’s New Year trip still on despite coronavirus
- Broken economies, the Belt and Road Initiative and the roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines will be discussed during Wang Yi’s five-nation tour
- Putting Tanzania and Nigeria on the itinerary may help ease issues over Chinese infrastructure projects in those countries
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When China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Africa at the start of 2020, there was a lot of optimism. For ever-improving China-Africa relations, for growth and for more Chinese funding for the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s pet trade and infrastructure development plan which has funded the construction of highways, hydropower plants and railways across the African continent.
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This was before coronavirus struck and destroyed economies, sending many African countries into debt distress.
Following China’s long-held tradition of foreign ministers making Africa their first trip of the year, Wang will spend this week on official visits to Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Botswana and Seychelles.
But the trip will be unique. Wang is going to Africa at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has pushed Sub-Saharan Africa into its first recession in 25 years. Many countries are facing financial crises and have applied for debt relief from the Group of 20 (G20) wealthy nations, including China.
Further, analysts foresee slowed lending for belt and road projects from Chinese policy banks Exim Bank of China and China Development Bank, which are now more cautious and have demanded proof of commercial viability before releasing funds for projects.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday the visit “demonstrates the high importance China attaches to its relationship with Africa”.
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