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By: Hongxiang Huang, China. ACRP Asia Network Region Lead 2023. First published in ChinaGlobalDialogue
As China’s influence in Africa continues to grow, African media coverage of Chinese entities, particularly Chinese enterprises and citizens, has significantly increased over the past 10 to 20 years. However, due to cultural and national differences, communication between African and Chinese stakeholders remains challenging. Chinese perspectives are often absent in African media reports, leading to incomplete, biased, and inaccurate coverage. This report analyzes the current state from 2019 to 2024 of African media coverage of “China in Africa,” identifies common misconceptions, and offers actionable recommendations for African journalists to improve their reporting on this topic.
1. Current State of African Media Coverage on “China in Africa”
1.1 Increased Attention on China-Africa Relations
Over the past decade,African media has shown a growing interest in China-Africa relations. Platforms like AllAfrica, which aggregates content from over 130 African news outlets, publish thousands of articles daily, with a noticeable increase in China-related content. Major African newspapers such as Daily Nation (Kenya), The Guardian Nigeria, and The Star (Kenya) have dedicated columns or special reports on China’s economic, political, and social activities in Africa.
Data Point: According to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (2024), Chinese state media employs 500 journalists in Kenya producing 1,800 monthly news items, with 37 bureaus across Africa prioritizing coverage of projects like the $5 billion Standard Gauge Railway. This expansion advances China’s narratives on infrastructure and investment.
Case Study: In 2024, Informer East Africa News published an article titled “Addressing legal, security hurdles of China’s ‘Belt and Road’ projects“, discussing the legal and security challenges hindering the progress of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects in Africa. The article emphasizes the necessity for well-defined legal frameworks to ensure stability and security in these projects, highlighting the importance of clear legal agreements to foster transparency and accountability.
1.1 Increased Attention on China-Africa Relations
Over the past decade,African media has shown a growing interest in China-Africa relations. Platforms like AllAfrica, which aggregates content from over 130 African news outlets, publish thousands of articles daily, with a noticeable increase in China-related content. Major African newspapers such as Daily Nation (Kenya), The Guardian Nigeria, and The Star (Kenya) have dedicated columns or special reports on China’s economic, political, and social activities in Africa.
Data Point: According to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (2024), Chinese state media employs 500 journalists in Kenya producing 1,800 monthly news items, with 37 bureaus across Africa prioritizing coverage of projects like the $5 billion Standard Gauge Railway. This expansion advances China’s narratives on infrastructure and investment.
Case Study: In 2024, Informer East Africa News published an article titled “Addressing legal, security hurdles of China’s ‘Belt and Road’ projects“, discussing the legal and security challenges hindering the progress of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects in Africa. The article emphasizes the necessity for well-defined legal frameworks to ensure stability and security in these projects, highlighting the importance of clear legal agreements to foster transparency and accountability.
1.2 Misconceptions about Chinese Enterprises and Citizens
African media often perpetuates misconceptions about Chinese businesses and communities in Africa, both originating within African media outlets and republished from external sources. For example, some reports claim that Chinese companies are reluctant to hire local employees. However, data shows that localization rates in Chinese enterprises have significantly improved.
Data Point: According to a McKinsey report (2017), 89% of employees in Chinese companies in Africa are locals, and many firms have begun hiring local managers.
Case Study: During SGR construction, Kenyan media like The Star repeatedly accused Chinese firms of “labor exploitation,” focusing on temporary contracts and segregated workspaces. However, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) addressed disparities through collaborative training: partnering with Kenya Railway Training Institute, they certified 120 Kenyan locomotive drivers (including 30 women) by 2020, a milestone amplified by China Daily but ignored by most African outlets.
1.3 Lack of Chinese Voices in Reporting
A significant issue in African media coverage is the absence of Chinese perspectives. This is not due to a lack of effort by African journalists but rather the difficulty in securing interviews with Chinese stakeholders.
Case Study: During the illegal gold mining controversy in Ghana, particularly around 2013, multiple media outlets attempted to interview Chinese miners but were met with silence or refusal due to fears of arrest or deportation, language barriers, cultural differences, and negative local sentiment towards foreign miners involved in illegal activities. BBC reported on the issue but failed to include any statements from the accused, leading to a lopsided narrative.
Data Point: A 2024 survey by Rapid Research Evaluation (RPDRE) found that only 12% of African journalists had successfully interviewed Chinese nationals for their stories, citing language barriers and reluctance to engage as primary obstacles, along with cultural differences, difficulty in accessing appropriate Chinese sources, concerns over potential media bias, and a lack of institutional support.
2. Common Misconceptions in African Media Coverage
2.1 Treating the Chinese Community as a Monolith
Some African media outlets have at times portrays the Chinese community in Africa as a homogeneous group, ignoring the diversity within. For instance, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) like Sinopec and China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) operate differently from private businesses and individual entrepreneurs, as SOEs typically follow government directives, focus on large-scale infrastructure and energy projects, and benefit from state-backed financing, whereas private businesses and entrepreneurs are more market-driven, adaptable, and engaged in smaller-scale commercial activities.
Example: During COVID-19, Nigerian media generalized “foreign agricultural projects” as land-grabbing entities, ignoring that women own 34% of formal agri-SMEs but receive only 10% of loans—a disparity worsened by pandemic disruptions.
Data Point: A 2021 report from Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) found that just as 51% of Africa’s MSMEs face funding gaps requiring tailored solutions, the media’s conflation of Chinese SOEs and private traders oversimplifies complex realities.
2.2 Reliance on Outdated Information
Some African media outlets continue to rely on outdated data, perpetuating stereotypes. For instance, the belief that Chinese SOEs’ centralized decision-making obscures provincial-level hiring data (steming from a lack of publicly available disaggregated employment figures and the tendency of initial project announcements to emphasize national-level agreements rather than local hiring practices), creating perception-reality gaps; Media disproportionately cover infrastructure projects with transitory expatriate phases, while underreporting manufacturing sectors where local hires dominate post-commissioning stages.
Data Point: The McKinsey report (2017) highlights that 89% of employees in Chinese firms in Africa are locals, and many companies have adopted localization strategies.
Case Study: In 2021, Kenyan media criticized Chinese firms constructing the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) for relying heavily on Chinese labor. However, post-commissioning reports showed that over 80% of operational roles in SGR’s maintenance phase were filled by Kenyan workers, with media failing to update narratives beyond the initial expatriate-intensive construction stage.
2.3 Overemphasis on Negative Stories
Some African media often focuses on negative aspects of China’s presence in Africa, such as labor disputes, environmental degradation, and corruption scandals, while underreporting positive contributions.
Case Study: In 2020, the Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court sentenced 17 wildlife traffickers to life imprisonment for smuggling protected species. Despite this landmark enforcement action, African media such as Daily Maverick predominantly reported China’s role in illegal pangolin trade but omitted mention of these prosecutions.
Data Point: A 2020 survey by WildAid found that 97% of Chinese consumers reduced purchases of pangolin products after exposure to anti-trafficking campaigns. Simultaneously, over 3,500 Chinese law enforcement officers received specialized training to dismantle trafficking networks, yet such efforts rarely received proportional media coverage.
3. Emerging Challenges
3.1 China’s Domestic Political Climate
China’s current political environment, shaped by government policies and regulations from 2018 to 2024, has made Chinese organizations such as state-owned enterprises, and private enterprises and individuals such as career choices, freedom of expression, and professional and educational opportunities more cautious about engaging with foreign media. This cautiousness stems from concerns about potential repercussions from the Chinese government, making it harder for African journalists to secure interviews.
Example: In 2018, Michele Ruta discuss about BRI projects in Zambia and listing negative influences, citing “risky.”
Data Point: A 2023 survey by Bowen Qin and Xiaochang Ge found that over 60% of Chinese nationals in Africa were unwilling to speak to foreign media due to fears of Chinese government reprisal.
3.2 Strained International Relations
Tensions between China and Western countries have led many Chinese citizens to view foreign media with suspicion. This skepticism extends to African media, which is often perceived as influenced by Western narratives.
Case Study: Africa Center for Strategic Studies points out Western media of spreading misinformation about China’s role in the crisis, further fueling distrust of foreign media among Chinese communities.
Data Point: A 2024 study by Xiaoyan Ye and Xuwen Sun found that only 22% of Chinese citizens trust international media, compared to 75% who trust state-run Chinese media.
3.3 Language and Cultural Barriers
Language differences and cultural misunderstandings often hinder effective communication between African journalists and Chinese stakeholders.
Case Study: In 2018, after Trump’s “shithole countries” comment, African media, like Tanzania’s Mwananchi, struggled to translate the insult appropriately, while Chinese media used “fenkeng” (cesspit). This highlights the translation challenges African journalists face when dealing with sensitive topics and language barriers.
Data Point: According to the 2021 World Press Freedom Index, China ranks 177th out of 180 countries, reflecting the difficulties foreign journalists, including those from Africa, experience due to language barriers and censorship.
4. Practical Recommendations for African Media
4.1 Engage with China-Africa Experts Who Are Willing to Speak
To achieve balanced reporting, it is crucial for African journalists to interview both African and Chinese stakeholders. However, in the current environment, finding Chinese interviewees can be challenging due to political sensitivities and cultural barriers. Therefore, African media should focus on identifying China-Africa experts who are willing to speak and can provide nuanced perspectives.
Example: The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs regularly organizes events and dialogues such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which includes discussions with Chinese diplomats and experts on China-Africa relations. These forums provide African journalists with opportunities to engage with individuals who have in-depth knowledge of bilateral relations, and who are often willing to offer valuable insights on the topic.
Data Point: A 2024 report by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies states that Xinhua now operates 37 bureaus across Africa, a significant increase in recent years. Additionally, over 2,000 African journalists have been trained through initiatives like the China-Africa Press Center and FOCAC.
4.2 Leverage Local Chinese Communities
African journalists should work with local Chinese communities to identify willing interviewees. Hiring Chinese-speaking liaisons can help build trust and facilitate communication.
Example: In Nigeria, The Guardian employed a Chinese-Nigerian journalist to interview Chinese traders in Lagos, leading to a more comprehensive report on their experiences.
Data Point: A 2024 report notes that over 3,000 African broadcasting professionals were trained by Chinese media organizations, improving access to Chinese communities for interviews
4.3 Adapt Communication Strategies
African media should tailor their approach when engaging Chinese stakeholders:
Demonstrate Neutrality: Provide examples of previous balanced reporting to reassure Chinese interviewees.
Use Trusted Translators: Employ translators familiar with both cultures to reduce misunderstandings.
Offer Content Review: Allow interviewees to review quotes before publication to ensure accuracy and build trust.
Case Study: In 2023, Daily Nation (Kenya) adopted this approach when interviewing Chinese engineers working on the Nairobi Expressway, resulting in a more cooperative and informative exchange.
Data Point: A 2022 survey by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) found that over 50% of Chinese nationals were more willing to engage with media that offered content review.
4.4 Highlight Positive Contributions
African media should strive to provide a balanced view by highlighting positive contributions of Chinese enterprises and individuals in Africa.
Example: In 2024, The Republic of Kenya published a feature on Chinese-funded scholarships for Kenyan students, showcasing the educational benefits of China-Africa cooperation.
Data Point: A 2024 analysis by Hangwei Li found that media outlets that highlighted positive stories saw a 20% increase in audience engagement.
4.5 Collaborate with Chinese Media Outlets
African media can collaborate with Chinese state-run or independent media outlets to gain access to Chinese perspectives and resources.
Example: In 2024, CGTN Africa produced a documentary on China’s role in African infrastructure development, featuring interviews with both African and Chinese stakeholders.
Data Point: A 2023 report by Joshua Eisenman found that China’s media partnerships have expanded content-sharing with African outlets, increasing the use of Xinhua reports in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi. By 2021, about 7% of Kenyans and 6% of South Africans watched CGTN, while 2% engaged with China Daily or CRI.
Conclusion
By addressing these challenges and adopting the recommended strategies, African media can produce more balanced, accurate, and comprehensive reports on “China in Africa.” This will not only enhance public understanding but also foster greater cooperation and mutual respect between African and Chinese stakeholders. Through improved communication and collaboration, African media can play a pivotal role in shaping a more nuanced and informed narrative about China’s presence in Africa.
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