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China’s Emerging Ukraine Posture Taps into Western Challenges in the Global South

by Cobus van Staden
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaking alongside Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra where the two articulated broad policy alignment regarding the war in Ukraine. Image via Xinhua.

This weekend, Chinese leaders embarked on a diplomatic blitz. President Xi Jinping had a call with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday, and during the weekend, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi also met with counterparts from Zambia, Algeria, and Tanzania.

It’s no surprise that Ukraine featured prominently in these discussions. In fact, these meetings represent more than China’s usual African engagement. We’re arguably seeing a glimmer of how Beijing is repositioning itself in relation to the Ukraine crisis, and that it will crucially involve the Global South. This repositioning has three aspects:

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