https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africa–China_relations
Africa–China relations refers to the historical, political, economic, military, social and cultural connections between China and the African continent.
Little is known about ancient relations between China and the African continent, though there is some evidence of early trade connections. Highlights of medieval contacts were the 14th century journey of
Ibn Battuta, the
Moroccan scholar and traveler, to parts of China;
[1] the visit of
Sa'id of Mogadishu, the
Somali scholar and explorer to China;
[2] and the
Ming Dynasty voyages of
Chinese admiral Zheng He and his fleet, which rounded the coast of
Somalia and followed the coast down to the
Mozambique Channel.
[3] [4]
Modern political and economic relations commenced in the era of
Mao Zedong, the first leader of the
Chinese Communist Party, following the
Chinese Civil War. Starting in the 21st century, the modern state of the
People's Republic of China has built increasingly strong economic ties with
Africa. There are an estimated one million Chinese citizens residing in Africa.
[5] By comparison, it has been estimated that 200,000 Africans are working in China.
[6]:99
Trade between China and Africa increased by 700% during the 1990s,
[7] and China is currently Africa's largest trading partner.
[8] The
Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was established in October 2000 as an official forum to strengthen the relationship. A few
Western countries, such as the
United Kingdom and the
United States, have raised concerns over the political, economic and military roles China is playing in the African continent.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes China's developmental engagements with Africa, while also stating that China and Africa are making "joint efforts to maintain the lawful rights of developing countries and push forward the creation of a new, fair and just political and economic order in the world".
[9]