In July and August 2024, China conducted a significant two-week military exercise in Africa, dubbed “Peace Unity-2024,” with Tanzania and Mozambique. The exercise, involving approximately 1,000 Chinese troops, showcased the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)'s growing capacity for power projection across large distances. PLA forces from ground, naval, air, and marine units, along with the Joint Logistics Support Force and the Information Support Force, participated in land- and sea-based training, including maritime patrols, search-and-rescue operations, and live-fire drills. The drills involved an array of equipment, from small arms and artillery to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and reconnaissance vehicles. This marked a shift from previous PLA engagements, which were primarily based in Djibouti or conducted as part of antipiracy operations, as Chinese troops were transported directly from mainland China using advanced strategic air and sea lift capabilities, such as the Y-20 transport aircraft and Yuzhao-class amphibious vessels.

The exercises took place off the coast of Mozambique for the sea phase, while the land phase was held at the Chinese-built Comprehensive Training Center in Mapinga, Tanzania. The event included unscripted opposing force elements, combined arms maneuvers, and amphibious landings, highlighting China's improved ability to project military power over vast distances. This also underscored the growing strategic importance of Africa as a testing ground for the PLA’s readiness and operational capabilities.

China’s military engagement in Africa is part of its broader geostrategic strategy, driven by its “Go Out” initiative, which began in 2000. The aim was to support the global expansion of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and secure new markets and resources. This laid the foundation for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). As of 2023, over 10,000 Chinese firms were operating across Africa, and China had signed contracts worth around $700 billion under the BRI, involving infrastructure projects such as ports and railways.

Central to China's military doctrine is the “New Historic Missions,” which calls for the PLA to safeguard Chinese overseas interests and enhance its global capabilities. This includes improving peacekeeping, antipiracy, and disaster response efforts while also securing Chinese infrastructure, energy resources, and nationals abroad. The PLA has increasingly taken part in multinational exercises and peacekeeping missions in Africa, with China now maintaining more troops on the continent than any other permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Since 2000, China has conducted numerous military exercises in Africa, steadily increasing the scale and complexity of these engagements. These have ranged from small drills focused on humanitarian missions to larger, more tactical exercises involving advanced naval, air, and ground forces. In addition to bilateral exercises, China has participated in multinational drills, such as the "Eku Kugbe" exercise in 2018, focused on maritime security, and the "Mosi" series of exercises, which bring together China, Russia, and South Africa for joint military operations.

A significant milestone in China's African military presence was the opening of its naval base in Djibouti in 2017, enhancing its expeditionary capabilities. This base has facilitated increased PLA engagement in the region, contributing to a higher tempo of exercises and improved logistics support for deployments. This increased presence allows the PLA to refine its long-range operational capacity and train in Africa’s complex security environment, furthering its goals of power projection.

The PLA's growing military presence in Africa has raised concerns in some quarters. While African governments, particularly those involved in training programs with China, highlight the benefits of learning from China’s rapidly modernizing military, critics fear that the growing militarization of China’s Africa policy could draw the continent into broader geostrategic rivalries. Some commentators view exercises like Peace Unity-2024 as part of a covert plan to establish a Chinese military base in Tanzania, potentially undermining the country’s long-standing policy of non-alignment. There is a concern that this increasing military footprint could shift African countries closer to China’s geopolitical sphere and away from the non-aligned movement’s emphasis on peace and disarmament.

In conclusion, China’s military strategy in Africa is closely tied to its larger ambition to become a world-class military power by 2030, capable of protecting its global interests and projecting force in distant regions. While some African leaders welcome China’s security partnerships, there is a growing debate about how to balance military collaboration with maintaining Africa’s autonomy in the face of competing global powers.

This image is taken from Reuters.