A Small Chinese Aid Donation in The Gambia Reveals One of China’s Bigger Priorities in Africa

Ambassador Ma Jianchun (right) to The Gambia and Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara (left) at the Foreign Ministry in Banjul. Image via Xinhua.

At a glance, Saturday’s announcement that China would provide a $23 million grant to The Gambia for unspecified “economic and technical cooperation” (that’s often diplomatic speak for unrestricted aid) doesn’t seem remarkable at all.

Ambassador Ma Jianchun (right) and Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara (left) posed for the customary photo after the agreement was signed at the foreign ministry and everything seems exactly as it should.

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by Eric Olander

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