China - Africa Routes Geostrategic Research

With the rise of China and its deepened degree of participation in the world economy, China has been developing an increasingly close economic, political and diplomatic relationship with nations throughout the world. Especially in recent years, China has strengthened its economic, trade and international economic cooperation with African countries. There has been an increasing communication between China and African countries. Therefore, transportation, as a link between China and Africa trade, especially the security and function of maritime traffic route draws much more attention.Seen from the trade structure and cargo transportation structure between China and Africa, the raw materials and energy imported from Africa satisfy the basic demand of China economic development. While the finished products that are exported from China to Africa and the aid from China satisfy African people's life needs and improve the quality of their life. So it is the objective demand to ensure the steady trade development between China and Africa in order to promote mutual economic development and satisfy people's life needs. Based upon the stable relationship with trading countries, the security of traffic routes is a factor that cannot be ignored in order to protect the security of a country's foreign trade. China-Africa trade is of no exception. As sea transport is the most important mode of transport in China-Africa trade, the security of China-Africa maritime traffic route should be taken into account. There are various realistic and potential risks in the security of the whole maritime traffic route, because China-Africa route covers large range of areas, many of which belong to sensitive areas. Besides, the disputing sea areas and national interests meeting points are rather complicated. There are realistic and potential safety hazards in the stability and cargo transportation of the two geopolitical divisions which are classified according to the sea power based on international trade. There have been constant disputes over Sovereignty in South Sea division, which results in the fierce construction of navy and armament development in all countries. Besides, external power intervention has enlarged the bilateral problem and makes it become an international problem. These problems have seriously influenced the security and stability of the whole region. In the area of Indian Ocean geopolitical division, India's Indian Ocean strategy makes it face challenges from regional powers and threat of crowding out external forces. The fights for dominant power over the whole region present this region with hidden trouble of political instability. The Malacca Strait and Mandela Strait---ed Sea---uez Canal geopolitical division, with sea strategic channel as its center, is the key surveillance area of the world giants'global sea power strategy naval deployment. The dominant power over shipping security is under the control of other countries. So, according to the current international political and military situation, China cannot protect the security of China--Africa route effectively. In my opinion, to better safeguard our national interests and security of maritime traffic routes, especially China-Africa route, China must set up a modern global sea power view; construct a powerful navy on the basis of geopolitical strategy. Besides, China must deal with relations among relevant countries skillfully in different circumstances. At the same time, China should try its best to improve its capability of cargo transportation by sea. By all means, China should set up its sea power in a global scale.