Article Link: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-foreign-minister-visits-kenya-amid-unease-over-rising-debt-2022-01-05/
China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, has concluded his visit to Kenya. Kenya’s foreign minister explained that the meeting was “historic’ as they discussed the challenges of security, health, climate change, and green technology transfer. In addition to those topics being addressed, there were also agreements signed between China and Kenya. China has been awfully friendly to Africa including Kenya as China to have a strong presence in Africa. It is estimated that China has given around $5 million to Africa as they try to advance their progress in the Belt and Road Initiative. China has also targetted African ports specifically Eritrea’s ports due to the fact that this would give China a big advantage in the Red Sea.
As many African countries are failing to survive on the international stage, China is lending a “helping hand.” Yes, while China is technically helping African countries out by giving $5 million to help African countries with health and finacial shortages, China also gaining benefits by getting their foot in the door in key parts of the world. Like mentioned before, China has obtained acess to Eritrea’s ports along the Red Sea making it easier for them to control trade through the Red Sea. Chinease influence in Africa is not good for the United States and the EU as it only creates another allie for the Chinease and gives them access to more land.
Eritea’s ports are located on the Red Sea which is an important trade route for many of the middle eastern and northern African countries. Eritea is also located on the edge of the Gulf of Aden. Countries such as Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Jrodan won’t have a trade without some sort of Chinease influence. China will now be able to control the trade at the Red Sea and partly at the Gulf of Aden. China targetted Eritea because they are a country in serious need of help and Eritea has crucial ports that are of the Chinease interest.