China: A ‘Five-No’ approach in Africa relations

In his speech at a the opening ceremony of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit held on 3rd September 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping described five major aspects that will never be used by China as a policy in providing loans, grants, aid and investments in African countries. His strong remarks were to assure African leaders that China’s policy and strategy towards Africa are only aiming to support and build the capacity of African countries so as to enable them to build their independent economy as well as to eradicate poverty.

China’s policies and initiatives in its relations with African countries are essential for building infrastructure and promoting economic and social development in African countries. Basically, African nations failed to grow economically due to the strict policies of many foreign donors. The complexity of Western policies in investments, lending and aids, has led African countries to become poorer.

China as a true friend and close partner of African nations is committed to helping African countries and to ensure that it bring great development changes to those nations. And that’s why it has come with alternative policy that provides opportunities for all countries to benefit from each other.

These “Five-No” policy that will guide China’s engagement with Africa are: no interference in African countries’ pursuit of development paths that fit their national conditions; no interference in African countries’ internal affairs; no imposition of China’s will on African countries; no attachment of political strings to assistance to Africa; and no seeking of selfish political gains in investment and financing cooperation with Africa.

The “Five-No” policy derives from China’s foreign policy tradition characterised by the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and China’s own experience in development. Jointly proposed by China, India and Myanmar in 1954, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence - mutual respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity; non-aggression; non-interference in internal politics; equality and mutual benefit; peaceful coexistence - has guided China’s foreign policy for over 60 years.

What’s more, China believes it is of vital importance to find a development path that fits its national conditions if a country wants real and sustainable development. To create a conducive external environment for African countries to find such a path, China keeps its hand off African countries’ endeavor in that regard.

In maintaining cooperation between China and Africa, China does not intervene in African countries to implement appropriate developmental approaches to their national status. China does not intervene in African internal affairs and does not use domestic and political disputes as a factor in preventing lending and financial assistance in the respective countries.

China’s non-interference policy has largely contributed to the availability of loans, financial aid and technical assistance in many African countries. China also does not prioritise its demands on African countries, so African nations could reap in China’s success without any conditions. The “Five-No” policy has not only provided opportunities for African nations to benefit directly from the investments from Chinese companies, and the loans and aid offered by the Chinese government, but offered a chance for each African nation to choose a development path that suits its national conditions instead of being forced to pursue a given development path.

While the US Strategy toward Africa puts America’s interests first, China’s Africa policies puts friendship first and follows the principle of giving more and taking less, giving before taking and giving without asking for return. Different from Western countries’ arrogance and bias against Africans, China treats African nations as equals. It has never forced African countries to comply with its demands or requirements before granting loans or providing aid. That’s why most African countries welcome and appreciate China’s assistance and investments, regarding China as a true friend to partner with in developing their economy and handling international affairs.

African nations need partners who are committed to working with them to eliminate poverty and developing their economy while at the same time paying due respect to the sovereignty of African countries.

China has pursued a policy called “Win-Win Cooperation” in its foreign relations, which is fundamental for Africa’s development because it offers an opportunity to share the benefits for all that is available. Just as Dr Damas Ndumbaro, the deputy minister for foreign affairs and East African cooperation of Tanzania said on 17th December, 2018, during a launching ceremony of a Chinese company’s real estate project, China-Africa relations is not based on colonialism, exploitation and interference in other countries’ internal affairs, but rather on brotherhood and good friendship.

“When all other countries refused to assist in the construction of Tazara Railway, it is China who was there to give us a helping hand,” the deputy minister said. Travelling from one place to the other has become easier, and railway infrastructure and roads have linked almost all African countries.

Many of these new developments would not have been achieved without good Chinese lending and investment policy towards Africa, supported by its non-interference policy.

Due to their rich experience in the construction sector and comparatively cheap technologies and labor, the Chinese companies are very competitive in the field infrastructure building. They often win the bid by offering lower prices and shorter project duration, and many African nations have benefited greatly from their expertise, good management, and affordable prices.

Apart from infrastructure building, Africa can also benefit from China’s industrial investments in the continent, increasing imports from Africa and millions of Chinese overseas tourists.

Trade facilitation is among the Eight Major Initiatives of China-Africa cooperation proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping this September. China has promised to increase its imports, particularly non-resource products, from Africa, by implementing trade facilitation programmes, which include providing exhibition stand subsidies and improving trade-related infrastructure.

As the world’s largest tourist market, China boasts of 130 million overseas tourists per year, and a consumption of over $250 billion by overseas tourists. The number of Chinese tourists visiting Africa is not that much, though it is increasingly rapidly in general. Take Tanzania as an example, in 2016, the country received 1.28 million tourists, among which only 34,000 come from China, accounting for 2.7 per cent of the total. Therefore, African countries have a great potential in attracting Chinese tourists and developing its tourist industry.

There are so many benefits we, as Africans, can get from our cooperation with China. The “Five-No” approach is not only in the interests of China, but also in the interests of Africa and the rest of the world.

The author is a banker and independent writer based in Dar es Salaam