Story perspectives

China Transforms Africa Strategy: From Extraction to Investment

4/16/2026

Center

China's Investment Shift

China shifts its Africa strategy from resource extraction to investment, led by the 2019-launched Hunan Model that aligns Chinese and African supply chains and reduces development barriers.
Hunan Province drives the transition by prioritizing renewable energy and electric vehicles.
Amid disruptions from the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, China’s trade with Africa rose 17.7% in 2025.

Right

Paulson Warns Meeting

Hank Paulson, former U.S. Treasury Secretary, warns the U.S.–China meeting may be canceled if the Iran conflict escalates.
He notes China is dissatisfied with U.S. military actions and calls for trust in the U.S.–China relationship.
The Iran conflict has disrupted plastic supplies, prompting Yonwoo, a South Korean firm, to seek paper-based packaging.
In Malaysia, Farm Fresh switched to paper milk cartons due to plastic shortages, while firms face order delays.

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China's Investment Shift

China shifts its Africa strategy from resource extraction to investment, led by the 2019-launched Hunan Model that aligns Chinese and African supply chains and reduces development barriers.
Hunan Province drives the transition by prioritizing renewable energy and electric vehicles.
Amid disruptions from the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, China’s trade with Africa rose 17.7% in 2025.

1 / 2