China is one of the major trade partners of Africa and its influence in the region is being criticized by western nations. French President Emmanuel Macron said on his Twitter post on Monday that China and France are not strategic rivals in Africa, and the two countries could be long-term partners for security, education, and infrastructure there. He added that there is a great possibility for the partnership between China and France.
The investments and aids provided by China in many African countries faced criticisms and anxiety among some western countries. Many believe that a win-win-win result might be achieved if the western nations treat China as a partner and not as a rival in the development of many industries in the vast continent.
According to Macron, he is planning to make Africa a top priority during his first foreign policy address delivered to France's 170 ambassadors in 2017. The French president made his visits to many African nations and he has pledged security and economic initiatives to re-establish the relationship between France and Africa.
China is open to collaborating with France and other European nations to increase investments in Africa's security and ramp up investments. Security challenges in Africa are rampant that ranges from terrorism and refugees to piracy. The continent also needs massive investments to close its infrastructure gap.
China's Belt and Road Initiative is an open economic cooperation initiative which aims to help build infrastructure that can aid the development of the continent. China is encouraging France and other European nations to participate in the initiative to boost bilateral relations and propel third-party cooperation in Africa. Other nations; however, said that the initiative places smaller nations into a debt trap. They also said that the nations forfeit their sovereignty to China over loans.
Critics used the situation of Sri Lanka as an example of accused China's debt trap. A port in Sri Lanka was forced to be leased to a Chinese firm for 99 years after the country failed to pay the obligations enclosed in the agreement to build the port which was China funded.
China said that the allegations that they are colonizing Africa through their investment, loans, and aid are baseless. China encourages other nations to contribute and cooperate with them through the Belt and Road Initiative.
The growing influence of China in many African nations shows the deepening China-Africa cooperation. Many believe that Europe needs to change its views towards the Asian country.
