Where Is the Africa-China Trade Relationship Headed In 2021? – MENAFN.COM

Where Is the Africa-China Trade Relationship Headed In 2021? – MENAFN.COM

There is no doubt that 2020 was the year that put the China-Africa relationship in the spotlight following the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. Early last year, African leaders worried how its citizens living in China would fare following the pandemic. The racist treatment of Africans in Guangzhou and some places in China resulted in a number of diplomatic conflicts. Still, the attention of African leaders quickly turned to controlling the pandemic within their respective borders. Africa carefully watched as China and other Asian countries strive to contain the global pandemic, and they realized they also had to take action. More than seven African countries closed their borders through the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's coordination. The fast response of African countries ensured that there were limited COVID-19 cases throughout 2020 to date. However, Africa-China trade waned, leading to numerous inflationary effects, and Chinese workers left projects in Africa. The Africa-China relationship took another turn as the Chinese government and private organizations such as Jack Ma Foundation offered medical help to African countries. China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) released some updated figures early this year on trade with Africa that tell a more positive story than many would