Follow CGSP on Social Media

Listen to the CGSP Podcast

When It Comes to China, Africa and Central Asia Actually Have Quite a Bit in Common

by Eric Olander

It’s not obvious, but when it comes to managing ties with China, countries in Central Asia and Africa have a lot more in common with one another than many would first assume. 

Both are among China’s smallest trading partners that rely primarily on oil and other commodity exports. Countries in both regions have taken on quite a bit of Chinese debt to build infrastructure and both areas have complex civil society ties with China. And both Africa and Central are now important outposts along China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More

You Might Like

China’s Ties With Nigeria Are a Lot Better Than They Seem

Lagos State University political science lecturer Abdul-Gafar Tobi Oshodi joins Eric & Cobus this week to discuss the current state of China-Nigeria relations. After ...

Tanzania’s Relationship Status With China: It’s Complicated

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s January visit to Tanzania highlighted the East African country’s growing importance to Beijing. It’s a strategically located Belt and Road ...

An Update on China-Kenya Ties With Journalist Eliud Kibii

China’s ambassador to Kenya Zhou Pingjian sat down with a local reporter Eliud Kibii from The Star newspaper earlier this month for ...

What is The China-Africa Project?

Independent

The CAP 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-Africa stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalist and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Africa discourse.

Networking

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

Subscribe