I meet with Africans pretty regularly and, obviously they all applied for, were accepted and came to the US on a grant sponsored by the State Dept. But they are pretty uniformly against the Chinese and largely see Belt and Road as a corrupt program not something that has benefitted Africans. I think the experience of Chinese mining companies and Chinese construction workers and such is probably about as relevant as loans that are being forgiven to their governments. I think China will have a harder time in Africa than they thought trading money for goodwill and influence.
That’s a great anecdotal story. My scientificbro hosted Euro scientists early and often pre-pandemic. They uniformly ripped on Euro social programs that US based ProgLibs held/hold near and dear to their cute little hearts. Personal perception, it sure is something. I digress.
There’s little doubt belt and road has corruption.
But the realpolitik says that if you’re an African nation seeking to strike out on your own, or worse (in the eyes of the US and Euro partners). Decouple from US/Eurocentric financial systems, unionize the continent etc etc.
The F-15’s, drones and a Hillary type sauntering across the tarmac at your airport riffing on tourist slogans with a morbid ending is likely in your future.
