Emanuele Scimia

Opinion | Why China should tread carefully around French interests in Africa and the Pacific

France could help China improve its EU ties under the banner of strategic autonomy – but Beijing would need to steer clear of red lines in francophone Africa and the South Pacific

Any Chinese outreach towards Niger’s coup leaders will irk France, which has already warned against ‘imperialism’ in the Indo-Pacific

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French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech at the Place des Cocotiers in Noumea, New Caledonia, on July 26. As former French colonies eject French troops, French dependencies are also exploring ideas of independence. Photo: AFP

Emanuele Scimia

Published: 12:30am, 8 Aug 2023Updated: 1:25am, 8 Aug 2023

At a China-France dialogue in Beijing last month, Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng expressed hope that France “will stabilise the tone of friendly cooperation” with the European Union. This comes as French President Emmanuel Macron tries to promote Europe’s strategic autonomy amid the great power contest between the US and China.

Beijing’s promise of increased economic cooperation suggests it wants help from Paris to repair its deteriorating ties with the EU. But the manoeuvre could fail if China crosses the line in two geopolitical chessboards that France considers strategic and are currently in the spotlight – francophone Africa and the South Pacific.

As China’s influence grows in Africa, France will surely monitor the Chinese position towards the recent military coup in Niger, once a French colony. The French government, along with the European Union, has condemned the coup and emphasised its support for the democratically elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum.

Some observers say China could gain ground in the Sahel region to the detriment of the West, specifically France, given that Beijing does not shy away from dealing with military juntas like that led by Niger’s General Abdourahamane Tiani.

Indeed, should the coup leadership manage to stabilise its grip on power, China could be tempted to recognise the new rulers to protect its oil and uranium interests in Niger. After all, Beijing has accepted the military power grabs in Burkina Faso and Mali in recent years.

If China successfully fills the French void in Niger, it would score another point in the Global South amid increasing strategic competition with the United States. But any possible Chinese overtures to Niger’s coup leaders would also irritate France.