In advancing its global ideals, Beijing finds a receptive audience in Africa

Financial help to continent linked to vision of less Western-dominated world order

- Lim Min Zhang

For three days, Beijing rolled out the red carpet for guests from more than 50 African countries who gathered in the Chinese capital for its biggest diplomatic event since the pandemic.

Heads of states and their entourages were received with airport welcomes and dance performances, and event banners were put up at major roads, although the rest of the city got ensnared in traffic jams.

The delegations went home with deals ranging from promises of more African imports to Chinese investments in their countries. Some 360 billion yuan (S$66 billion) worth of financial support was announced to thunderous applause by President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described China's funding pledge as a "great boon" to the continent, adding that African countries are committed to enhancing relations with China "because the Asian superpower has good intentions".

"I don't subscribe to the belief that the relationship is oppressive. China has never been a colonial power in Africa," he said, according to media reports.

But beyond dishing out carrots, China has increasingly sought to align itself with African countries over longstanding grievances among developing countries.

In his Great Hall address on Sept 5, Mr Xi's attempt to frame China-Africa cooperation as a new model of international relations was well received.