Expert on China’s Soft Power in Africa: It’s About People-to-People Relations

In 2013, the Chinese government adopted a global infrastructure development strategy to invest in nearly 70 countries and international organizations. Western media has given some of these investment projects negative labels such as “debt trap” and “modern time colonialism.” But, cultural influence still remains one side of China’s foreign policy in Africa that has been long neglected by the public. VOA’s Abby Sun alongside her co-hosts Auriane Itangishaka and Amina Aliyu spoke to Dr. Lina Benabdallah, Assistant Professor at Wake Forest University on China’s soft power advantage in Africa. She argued that compared to China, the United States has been lacking consistently building partnerships with African leaders. Furthermore, China’s strategy institutionalized the cooperation through cultural diplomacy, study aboard programs and bilateral events on all levels.