By Tyler Jiang
A hallmark of Chinese foreign policy is its generous distribution of foreign aid. Nowhere is this form of soft power more prevalent than the continent of Africa, particularly in the nations that comprise the Horn of Africa. This region, focusing on Djibouti and Ethiopia, holds special significance for Beijing due to its geographical proximity to the Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal.
Since 2015, China has poured more than $14 billion in infrastructure development into Djibouti, $3 billion in infrastructure aid to Ethiopia, and has over $5 billion in trade annually with the two nations. [1], [2] China also drawn on its culture to bolster its soft power, constructing a new Confucius Institute in Djibouti City, which aims to promote Chinese culture and language as well as cultivating ties with the local society.
China’s newest soft power initiative, a $3.4 billion project, came in the form of railway diplomacy, financing a rail link from Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, to the port of Djibouti City. This railway will have an enormous impact on the economies of both nations, as land locked Ethiopia sends 90% of its exports to the Port of Djibouti, accounting for 70% of port activity. [3] Chinese banks and companies financed the $3.4 billion project. The railway, which opened October 5, 2016, will allow for easier transport of goods to and from ports, and will make the region more attractive for investment. The railway has already proven its worth in 2015, transporting grain from Djibouti to Ethiopia when droughts caused massive crop failures. Ethiopia hopes that the railway is the first step of a project extending to Kenya and Sudan, most likely funded by the Chinese. [4]
Compared to the contributions of China, United States’ aid pales significantly. The U.S. contributed $510 million to Ethiopia and Djibouti in food aid through USAID in 2016 and has $2 billion in trade deals [5], [6], but, in this region, the United States primarily employs hard power. The only U.S. military base in Africa, Camp Lemonnier, is located in Djibouti; the rent is $70 million per year, and $1.4 billion has been committed to renovate the base. [7]
China may soon amass enough sway to convert its primarily soft power focus to a combination of soft and hard power. This has already started in Djibouti, where China announced earlier this year that it would be building its first foreign military installation to support anti-piracy operations.
The United States needs to use not only hard power, but also soft power to garner influence in important international political arenas, choosing to send additional aid and employing diplomatic overtures instead of military might. If the United States doesn’t adapt, it will begin to find itself increasingly isolated from nations who are getting millions of dollars from China. After all, building a railroad is much easier—and cheaper—than fighting a war.
Tyler Jiang is a Junior at Rowan University studying International Studies and History.
[1] Dana Sanchez, “China Financing Most of Djibouti’s $14.4 Billion In Planned Infrastructure Projects,” AFK Insider, June 11, 2010. http://afkinsider.com/
[2] Elias Gebreselassie, “China rides the rails of Ethiopia’s development,” Al Jazeera News, Oct, 25, 2016. http://www.aljazeera.com/
[3] Aaron Maasho, “Ethiopia signs Djibouti railway deal with China,” Reuters, Dec 17, 2011. http://www.reuters.com/
[4] BBC News, “Ethiopia-Djibouti electric rail line opens,” BBC, Oct 5, 2016. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-37562177.
[5] USAID Ethiopia Food Aid Fact Sheet, https://www.usaid.gov/ethiopia/food-assistance.
[6] USAID Djibouti Food Aid Fact Sheet, https://www.usaid.gov/djibouti/food-assistance.
[7] Josh Wood, “Djibouti, a Safe Harbour in the Troubled Horn of Africa,” The National, June 2, 2015.
