confidentially speaking
The Africa Confidential Blog
China's global reach
Blue Lines
In terms of its economic impact and geo-political weight, the
Congress
of China's Communist Party
this week matters more for Africa than a
presidential election in the United
States. Already regarded as the
most powerful Chinese leader since Deng
Xiaoping, President Xi Jinping wants to preside over the next stage of the country's economic
transformation, in which he sees the government playing a leading role,
making state enterprises 'bigger and stronger'. But he is far
less enthusiastic about 'market forces' than his recent predecessors,
partly because of rising inequality in the Western mould, insiders say.
Beijing's promise to boost consumer spending and innovation will
be keenly watched in Africa. More resources will go into the 'One Belt,
One Road' project, a branch of which cuts through East Africa en route
to the Middle East and Europe. Alongside that project, Xi envisions a
sharp expansion of China's global role as a 'major and responsible
country' in the 21st century. That includes a growing role in the UN
and other international organisations as well as consolidating its
leadership role in Asia.
Africa's authoritarian leaders will pay particular attention to
Xi's views on the need to strengthen national security and control the
internet, 'to oppose and resist erroneous viewpoints'. On that front at
least, regimes in Egypt, Togo, and Cameroon – who are fond of shutting
down the web – are keeping pace with Beijing.
