In: Megatrends Afrika, 1-11

In the past few years, China’s engagement in Africa has (again) caused controvery as to whether, how and to what effect China seeks to actively share lessons from its political and economic system in its relations with African countries. One important actor in this regard is the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP-ID), which is in charge of China’s party diplomacy in Africa and beyond. This policy brief analyses recent patterns and motives of China’s party diplomacy in Africa. It finds that the CCP maintains ties with the main ruling parties in southern Africa and in some countries in East Africa, while engaging with a broad range of parties in southern Africa and in some countries in East Africa, while engaging with a broad range of parties in countries in Norh Africa. Beijing’s party diplomacy in Africa seeks to promote China’s core foreign policy interests, advance an alternative narrative on global China and normalize China’s authoritarian system. Even though it remains unclear as to what extent China can reach it goals through party diplomacy, African policy-makers certainly welcome the continous and high-level engagement by Chinese party officials. European policymakers, in turn, should invest more in better understanding party diplomacy, and reflect on how to respond to a growing competition of narratives.

You can access the whole policy brief here.