As China deepens its think tank diplomacy in Africa, concerns grow over its one-way discourse, influence of soft power, and impudent promotion of Chinese values and ideals.
Image Source: Per-Anders Pettersson/ via Getty Images
This is the 177th in the China Chronicles series
As China positions itself as the leader of the Global South, especially in an increasingly multipolar world, it recognises that military might and economic diplomacy alone are insufficient. Effectively winning hearts and minds will require a strategic combination of diplomacy and soft power. In pursuit of shaping the global discourse in its favour and enhancing its influence, Beijing has intensified its think tank diplomacy. This includes establishing and promoting ‘new think tanks with Chinese characteristics’ across the Global South, with a special emphasis on Africa.
Think tank diplomacy refers to China’s strategic instrumentalisation of its research institutions and policy forums in propagating its influence in foreign relations. In 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping explicitly underscored the need to develop ‘disciplinary, academic, and discourse systems’ rooted in Chinese civilisation and traditions. The objective of this initiative extends beyond the mere embellishment of China’s international image. Its broader aim is to create platforms to project China’s worldview, governance model, and developmental paradigms as credible and compelling alternatives to prevailing Western liberal norms.
China formally launched the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum (CATTF) in October 2011, convening delegates from 27 African countries. The China-Africa Think Tanks Forum (CATTF) serves as a permanent platform for dialogue and exchange between Chinese and African think tanks. Its objectives, in theory, include fostering mutual understanding, promoting civil participation and free-flowing conversation, and generating policy recommendations to improve Sino-African cooperation semantics. By targeting critical areas such as peace and security, finance and investment, and cultural exchange, CATTF aims to deepen academic collaboration, support sustainable development, and strengthen the long-term China-Africa partnership.
The China-Africa Think Tanks Forum (CATTF) serves as a permanent platform for dialogue and exchange between Chinese and African think tanks.
Since assuming office in 2013, President Xi has purported China to significantly expanding these initiatives. China has also established multiple think-tank networks in addition to CATTF—such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Global Community of Shared Future. These networks are primarily coordinated by state-affiliated institutions, the operational arms of the Chinese Communist Party, such as the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), People’s Daily, CGTN, and Xinhua news agency, in collaboration with their international partners.
With this designated objective, China hosted the 14th China-Africa Think Tank Forum in Kunming, China on 20 May 2025. Attended by over 100 delegates from China and Africa, the Forum was organised under the theme ‘China-Africa Governance Experience and Exchanges and Chinese Modernisation’.
Participants of the Forum endorsed the ‘Kunming consensus’, agreeing to deepen cooperation in governance and development and enhance the synergy between Chinese modernisation and Africa’s independent development strategies. Following the Forum, delegates participated in a three-day field visit across the Yunnan province to observe China’s multifaceted modernisation efforts—including rural revitalisation, environmental sustainability, innovation-led growth, and community governance.
The 14th CATTF held particular heft as it was a direct follow-up to the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)—China’s most prominent multilateral engagement platform for Africa. During the 2024 Beijing FOCAC Summit, President Xi Jinping articulated six foundational pillars of China-Africa partnership on modernisation and presented a comprehensive blueprint towards an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future.
The Action Plan prioritises the implementation of three of Xi Jinping’s flagship global initiatives—the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI).
In exchange, China expects African diplomatic support for China at the United Nations (UN) and other international forums. Significantly, the Action Plan prioritises the implementation of three of Xi Jinping’s flagship global initiatives—the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI). This trifecta of concepts collectively underpins China’s vision for an alternative set of global norms and governance models.
Engagements with media think tanks, academia, and the business sector constitute an essential element of China’s foreign policy. Through track II, people-to-people exchanges, Beijing wants to expand its international presence, enhance its standing in global public opinion, and bolster its image as a consistent advocate of multilateralism and free trade.
Although China’s think tank diplomacy provides African countries access to alternative development models and substantial investment in research cooperation, it also raises critical concerns. The development trajectory of any country must be shaped by its distinct historical contexts and socioeconomic realities. Yet, China’s emphasis on promoting the ‘Chinese solution’ as a guiding framework for Africa’s development raises questions about the practicality of these models across diverse African contexts and China’s ensuing interests.
Despite the discourse of mutual learning, most of these forums are carefully orchestrated by China’s state apparatus, leaving limited space for open debate or critical evaluation of China’s development model. Such asymmetrical exchange of ideas risks constraining authentic intellectual dialogue and limiting the scope for policy innovation.
China’s emphasis on promoting the ‘Chinese solution’ as a guiding framework for Africa’s development raises questions about the practicality of these models across diverse African contexts and China’s ensuing interests.
Thus, despite significant efforts and investments, these forums often fall short of fostering open dialogue or independent exchange across sectors. Instead, they tend to project an idealised vision of Chinese culture, more notably, tout the one-party governance model as a viable developmental alternative, as reflected in the declaration.
Therefore, the central challenge for Africa is not to dismiss engagement with China but rather to navigate this evolving landscape with discernment and strategic foresight. Sustainable development for Africa will not stem from the wholesale adoption of any external model, whether Western or Chinese, but rather from formulating African-led solutions that are firmly rooted in the continent’s diverse historical experiences, cultural contexts, and collective aspirations.
Samir Bhattacharya is an Associate Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation
The views expressed above belong to the author(s). ORF research and analyses now available on Telegram! Click here to access our curated content — blogs, longforms and interviews.
Dr. Samir Bhattacharya is an Associate Fellow at Observer Research Foundation (ORF), where he works on geopolitics with particular reference to Africa in the changing ...
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