China’s Policy in Africa in the Face of Growing Competition for Critical and Rare Earth Metals

Along with the shaping of a new world order characterized by geopolitical confrontation, trade wars and the shift toward the 4th industrial revolution, Africa becomes a site of great power rivalry. Through the years, this continent, with substantial demographic, resource and eventually economic potential, has become an arena for geo-political geo-economic competition. Modern rivalry is characterized not only by the struggle for ideological domination, but also for access to critical minerals of the continent, vital for economic growth, national security and most importantly for strengthening the countries’ and coalitions’ power capacity. Being one of the potential leaders of the new world order, China is intensifying its political efforts in Africa, since its control of rare earth metals and critical minerals could strengthen Beijing’s status as a leading power, as well as undermine the potential of the United States as Beijing's key rival. Given all the aspects above one can agree with the importance of studying the PRC’s foreign policy aimed at increasing access to minerals in Africa. The article is devoted to PRC policy on the continent in the context of competition for mineral resources, particularly to the analysis of China’s economic, diplomatic, military activities and Beijing’s involvement in Africa’s mining industry. Limited reliance on military engagement is noted. It is concluded that despite Beijing being a leading trade partner in Africa, with intense diplomatic ties, its shares in Africa’s mining industry, while growing, are still much smaller than those of Western countries. As global tensions are to rise in the future, it will require Beijing to rethink its role in African relations. Beijing is reshaping its foreign policy and role in various dimensions, increasing its weight in political as well as in the economic field, and military strategic. This in turn will lead to increasing participation of the PRC in the economic and political affairs of Africa.