China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, kicked off his annual new year tour of Africa on Wednesday, making strategic stops in Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Lesotho to reinforce Beijing’s influence on the continent.
This tour is more than just a tradition; it’s a calculated move to solidify partnerships at a time of increasing global and economic pressure on Beijing.
Africa is seen as a crucial region offering diplomatic support and strategic reassurance without the ideological hostility China faces elsewhere.
The visit to Somalia is particularly noteworthy, as it’s the first by a Chinese foreign minister since the 1980s.
It serves as a strong diplomatic endorsement for Mogadishu, especially after Israel recently recognized the breakaway region of Somaliland.
By reaffirming its support for a unified Somalia, China is also shoring up its influence around the vital Gulf of Aden trade corridor.
In Tanzania, the focus is on infrastructure and resources, with China refurbishing the Tazara Railway to access Zambia’s copper deposits—a project seen as a direct counter to the U.S. and EU-backed Lobito Corridor.
Finally, the stop in Lesotho highlights China’s effort to position itself as a champion of free trade for developing nations, offering tariff-free access to its market in contrast to restrictive policies from other world powers.
