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African Athletes Emerge as Superstars in Chinese Soccer and Basketball Leagues

by Eric Olander
TWEET TRANSLATION: "Great! Cedric Bakambu, a Congolese footballer in the Chinese Super League, who distinguished himself with a quadruple in the last match. It's a great day for Congolese."

There’s been a surge of media coverage in recent days about African athletes, mostly soccer players, in China. Both the men’s and women’s Chinese Super Leagues have spent big money in recent years to lure top-level talent from Africa and now those investments are starting to pay dividends.

Increased sports coverage in African media also helps to promote Chinese soft power on the continent by showcasing China in a field where there’s no controversy over loans, trade or COVID-19. 

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