China Djibouti: Strategic partnership in East Africa

The development of Chinese-African relations obtains a long history. Within its history, developing countries moved toward mutually beneficial partnerships developing a geopolitical alternative to the “North-South” relations. This paper examines improving relations between China and Djibouti and the main motives, principles and benefits derived from relationships of two countries within the framework of the “South-South” cooperation concept. Investigating two countries’ cooperation authors are guided by such international databases as China Africa Research Initiative, AidData, China Africa Project as well as “Russian and Chinese aid”. The paper is considering key investments projects and their role in the development of the African country economy as well as China aid in the struggle with economic and social problems. In its role, Djibouti being a logistic hub in South Africa plays a significant part in Chinese geoeconomic and political projects in South Africa. The present analysis allows to make the conclusion that Djibouti not only develops the shipping ecosystem but also gains influence on regional affairs and in international organisations. By means of the deployment of the military base China creates a favourable investment climate with a view to extending the volume of investments and trade.