Strategic Coexistence or Cautious Competition? Understanding China– Russia Engagement in Africa
Strategic Coexistence or Cautious Competition? Understanding China– Russia Engagement in Africa

Summary/Abstract: This paper examines involvement of China and Russia in Africa and discusses whether their presence on the continent is better understood in terms of cooperation, competition, or pragmatic coexistence. The paper contends that although both actors express support for a multipolar international order and seek to limit Western—particularly U.S. and European—dominance in Africa, their engagement follows distinct trajectories. While China employs an approach largely shaped by economic considerations, most notably infrastructure development, expanding trade relations, and access to natural resources, Russia’s approach, by contrast, dominantly focuses on security and geopolitical objectives, with an emphasis on military cooperation and defense partnerships with African governments dissatisfied with Western security frameworks. The paper contends that China often presents its activities in Africa as mutually beneficial, framing cooperation as a shared project aligned with the development priorities of African states. This framing is supported not only by material interests but also by ideational narratives, including references to South–South solidarity and shared historical experiences of Western domination. Russia, on the other hand, adopts a different posture, relying less on such ideational appeals and instead prioritizing concrete strategic interests and security-related benefits. In the light of these differing modes of engagement, the paper argues that China–Russia relations in Africa are best characterized as a hybrid pattern combining elements of strategic coexistence with cautious competition. This coexistence, not only reshapes Africa’s geopolitical landscape but also reflects broader shifts associated with the transition toward a more multipolar global order.

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