Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai delivered the "Eight principles for China's Economic & Technical Assistance" to Ghana in 1964, this continues to be the framework of modern day China. 

This is the difference between China and (PLUG IN ANY FORMER COLONIAL COUNTRY). 

Ancient China had a fine appreciation for strategy and diplomacy. They understood that Hard Power was not the only option towards conflict, and that with power came great responsibility.

 The Soft Power of China in Africa spaces stirs up a lot of feelings, while some view this as hope for a brighter future, others see it as photocopied version of European colonization. This seems to be a common analysis of soft power influences of Asia in Africa.

The argument that China only understands soft power or the impact of state influence through the lenses of "International Relations": (PLUG IN ANY EUROPEAN BASED IDEOLOGY) is just another powerful example of eurocentrism  in understanding International relations and state dynamic. 

    CAN YOU GIVE YOUR NEIGHBOR SOME CHEENEE, SHUGAR, SUGAR, TANG (糖)?

This brings me to an expression of my father's people, (My father is an American, from the Lone Star State! Oh for you outsiders you can say TEXAS!!)

There is an expression used by neighbors, when they find each other attractive. The key here is, "ATTRACTION MUST BE MUTUAL".  Please understand, this is such an old school approach, today we just text each other or give a very focused wave. There is an art to waving and saying hello, please ask a southerner! 

Walk towards your neighbor's place of residence and knock the door:

"Can I have some sugar?" Now if your neighbor is attractive, you will get the SUGAR. If they are not, you will be told of the severity of diabetes in the family or that door will not move an inch. You will find yourself leaving sugar alone and opt for honey. 
 

Joseph Nye (The Legend behind the term Soft Power) stressed soft power is only as attractive and persuasive as your neighbors believe you to be. China's neighbors(Japan, India, Vietnam, Philippines, and so many more) don't want the SUGAR! There are some other countries in Asia that do, but for the most part NO SUGAR! China now enjoys not SUGAR but honey with friends across the other side of the world: South America and Africa.

One of the ways China enjoys Soft Power is through the building of football stadiums know as, Stadium Diplomacy in Africa.

The reason for Stadium Diplomacy! Estádio 11 de Novembro -Luanda, Angola. This smile on her face, the amount of people that for this moment are just Angolans! They are not poor, sick Africans! They are Angolans, a country in Southern Africa enjoying a football game.

These are the countries that have benefited from Stadium Diplomacy.
Sorry to the following countries: Cape Verde, Seychelles and Mauritius. After loading this up, I thought to myself, you remember to put your company logo and missed three countries. :)

  Have you ever attended a football match in Africa? It doesn't matter the country, just have you ever attended a football match in Africa? Local or national, it is a moving opera. 

One thing about football you must understand, there is an art of trash talking that occurs on behalf of patriotism. This holy ritual is so powerful that just one side matters, YOUR COUNTRY!

World Cup Italy 1990 changed the football world forever. Two very important lessons occurred:

1. Roger Miller father of the Indomitable Lions, the greatest that ever did it, the father of African football dished out an ass whopping, kicking of the ass, owning that ass to Colombia (2-1). 

2. Father of African football Roger Milller danced Makossa music on the field. This forever changed how football teams celebrated victory and also the respect of African football players in football matches.
 

FOOTBALL is part of those fibers that hold the continent as ONE AFRICA. We might have our differences but football matches such as the World Cup, Africa Cup give us visual representation and a voice! The building of such new massive infrastructures stimulates local economies around the area and give people a sense of pride and identity. 

The stadiums provide a break from all of IT! It gives the people a sense of a patriotism and a sense of belonging to a community that focuses on the skill set to win a match  vs the lack of skills in modernity. Stadiums are also part of a country's brand identity and this is an area that African countries desperately need to work on if they want to be global players in diplomacy. 

The brand of Africa is often linked to suffering, poverty and the metaphor for the definition of HELL on earth. Stadium Diplomacy is cultural diplomacy from China vs. the diplomacy of the west towards Africa which is the continuation of "Diplomacy of Dependency". 

China actually believes that the African intellect is diverse enough to appreciate and benefit from niche diplomacy and it is for this reason why bigger stadiums will be built.  

This is just one of many examples of China in Africa spaces. I am aware many see nothing right about China in Africa. I must remind you for the last four centuries, our other friends have never applied those 8 principles. Africa now has options, but with choices and options also comes great responsibility from both parties. 

Until Next Silk Thursday!