China in Africa: Objectives, Instruments and Strategic Implications

Since the end of the Cold War, four major priorities defined the People's Republic of China's strategy towards Africa: access to natural resources and raw materials; the creation of markets for its manufactured exports; obtaining support for their political objectives; and the consolidation of a status as a leader of the developing world. Since the first decade of the twenty-first century, China has also become an important financial partner and the driver of infrastructure development on the continent, while acquiring a growing military presence. The multidimensional relationship built by Xi Jinping's China with Africa is an integral part of its global ascent strategy, with economic and geopolitical implications that have attracted the attention of other powers.