Africa the Prize in U.S.-China Tug of War

Africa the Prize in U.S.-China Tug of War

Africa has become a major theater in the global rivalry between China and the United States. 

This was evident during Hillary Clinton's African visit, during which she spread the message of democracy and warned Africans against unnamed “outsiders” coming to “extract the wealth of Africa for themselves, leaving nothing or very little behind.”

 

While the American secretary of state did not name any country, Beijing was quick to respond.

 

It accused the United States of seeking to sow discord between China and Africa while keen to reap benefits for itself from the booming continent.

 

During Clinton's African tour — to Senegal, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa and Ghana — she explained Washington's new Africa strategy of promoting development by stimulating economic growth, advancing peace and security and strengthening democracy. The American official acknowledged that, historically, “Western powers had too often seen Africa as a source of resources to be exploited or as a charity cause.” As for the United States, she acknowledged that, in the past, “Our policies did not always line up with our principles.”

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