West's bias not reflected in reality of African ties

Every time Chinese leaders and their counterparts from across Africa meet for their summit, voices professing concern for African countries are heard in the West cautioning them about China's "neocolonialism".

This year, those attending the summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which is being held in Beijing on Monday and Tuesday, have been serenaded by a choir of the concerned harping on the accusation that China is trapping African countries in debt.

Rather than reflecting the reality of Sino-African relations, this claim simply reflects the West's anxiety about China's rise and its concerns that the Belt and Road Initiative is a vehicle for extending Beijing's influence.