China’s Hop-Step-and-Jump ‘Expansionism’in Africa

The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC’s) pervasive presence in Africa is sometimes highlighted by an image of the Chinese flag draping an outlinemap of the entire continent. Such a depiction does not imply that China is seeking to occupy the entire African continent by surpassing the scale and actions of the old colonial powers.1 Chinese President Xi Jinping may also not like to emulate US President Donald Trump in his reported bid to extend American sovereignty over Greenland and perhaps Gaza too. Furthermore, Africa is not known to be China’s long-lost ancient “province” for Xi to seek its “reunification” with the Chinese “mainland” sooner or later. Beijing’s grand strategy vis-à-vis Africa should, therefore, be understood in today’s realpolitik terms rather than any colourful imagery.