The Dragon King

At the recent Forum of China-Africa Cooperation, an annual summit of African leaders in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced more than US$50 billion in financing for the continent over the next three years. The new credit line from Africa's biggest trade partner and investor will be welcome in many capitals. But Beijing still faces complaints that China's approach remains colonial and extractive, aimed at accessing raw materials and buying political support for an authoritarian world order Beijing aspires to impose and lead.