Follow CGSP on Social Media

Listen to the CGSP Podcast

Jiang Zemin Created the Africa-China Relationship As We Know It Today

by Cobus van Staden
File image of Chinese President Jiang Zemin walking to the podium to officially open the inaugural Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) on 10 October 2000 in Beijing's Great Hall of the People. AFP PHOTO/Stephen SHAVER

Reflections on the legacy of Jiang Zemin, China’s president from 1993 to 2003, who passed away on Wednesday, emphasized how he presided over a decade of explosive economic growth. Fewer have pointed out that he was also a key architect of China’s current relationship with Africa. 

After the Mao era, emblematized by Chinese involvement in African anti-colonial struggles, the relationship went dormant as China focused on building economic ties with Western economic powers. When Jiang came to power in the wake of the Tiananmen Square crackdown, China was looking for new allies and markets. 

Lead the Conversation on China

Subscribe Today to Get Full Access to The China-Global South Project

Check Out Everything You'll Get With Your Subscription

The China-Global South Daily Brief delivered to your inbox at 6AM Washington time

Full access to exclusive news and analysis from editors based in the Global South

Transcripts of CGSP’s twice-weekly podcasts

Students and teachers with a valid .edu email address are eligible for a 50% discount off monthly or yearly subscriptions. Email us to receive a discount code.

You Might Like

China’s New FM Greeted as Old Friend in Ethiopia on First Stop of Africa Tour

Qin Gang landed in Addis Ababa early Tuesday morning to kick off his first tour of Africa as China’s new Foreign Minister. Qin spent the morning with his Ethiopian counterpart Demeke Mekonnen at the ...

Qin Gang Kicks Off African Tour with AU Commission Strategic Dialogue

“Africa should be a big stage for the international cooperation, not an arena for major countries competition.” This was the message from Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, speaking during a press conference with ...

Tshisekedi’s Trip to China Was a Total Waste of Time and It’s His Fault

Two somewhat perplexing stories today in the China-Africa space. First, the visit to China by President Félix Tshisekedi is wrapping up in Hong Kong and it appears, at least based on what we ...

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.

Subscribe