China’s Infrastructure Footprint in Africa with Zongxu Xie

During this episode I spoke to Zongxu Xie, researcher on African climate and water issues and joint PhD candidate at Tsinghua University and Oxford. Zongxu is actively involved in youth Belt and Road initiatives in Africa, took part in landmark Chinese infrastructure projects on the continent such as the Isimba Hydropower Station in Uganda, and makes regular visits to Africa, both for field research, as well as in the role of intermediary between Chinese and African youth and NGOs. His main areas of focus include climate change, hydrology and international relations. 

Zongxu and I spoke about why and what China is building in Africa, how local universities are supporting Chinese and African business ventures, ways to make social impact when running projects on the continent and why the Chinese and African stories have more in common than you'd think. 

Timecodes:

3:17 The Belt and Road Initiative in Africa

4:10 China's role at the primary infrastructure giant

5:21 There's always space for partnership amongst great powers on the continent

7:39 Why hydropower is key to Africa's energy security 

8:43 Building the Isimba Hydrostation in Uganda 

10:34 Key hurdles in Africa's leap for energy security 

14:56 Business incubators for Chinese and African ventures 

16:31 About the project BRI Trip and BRI Talk 

19:38 Zongxu's area of research

20:20 Field trips to Africa 

21:42 China-Uganda relations 

23:44 Zongxu's vision for the future of China-Africa relations

This episode was recorded under the MGIMO University development programme “Priority 2030”