Nepal, Feb. 17 -- Every year, China's minister of foreign affairs embarks on what has now become a customary odyssey across Africa. The tradition began in the late 1980s and sees Beijing's top diplomat visit several African nations to reaffirm ties. The most recent visit, by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, took place in mid-January 2025 and included stops in Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Chad and Nigeria.

For over two decades, China's burgeoning influence in Africa was symbolised by grand displays of infrastructural might. From Nairobi's gleaming towers to expansive ports dotting the continent's shorelines, China's investments on the continent have surged, reaching over $700 billion by 2023 under the Belt and Road Initiative, China's mas...