In returning to our hotel, we drove along a beautiful new highway built by the Chinese. China also built Lomé's new $150M airport where we arrived.
The Silk Road was an ancient network of trade routes that were central to cultural interaction through regions of the Asian continent connecting the West and East from China to the Mediterranean Sea.
The Silk Road derives its name from the lucrative trade in Chinese silk carried out along its length, beginning during the Han dynasty (207 BCE – 220 CE). The Chinese took great interest in the safety of their trade products and extended the Great Wall of China to ensure the protection of the trade route.
Trade on the Silk Road was a significant factor in the development of the civilizations of China, the Indian subcontinent, Persia, Europe, the Horn of Africa and Arabia, opening long-distance, political and economic relations between the civilizations. Though silk was certainly the major trade item from China, many other goods were traded, and religions, philosophies, and various technologies, as well as diseases, also travelled along the Silk Routes. In addition to economic trade, the Silk Road served as a means of carrying out cultural trade among the civilizations along its network.
After his recent state visit to China, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe spoke of his vision for his country to become the "anchor point" in West Africa for the new Silk Road initiative forwarded by China.
"Togo intends to be the anchor point in West Africa for the New Silk Road initiative supported by China and which is based on ties between countries through land and maritime infrastructures."
The Togolese head of state noted that China is committed to aiding African countries in their economic structural changes. In this regard, he underscored that Togo "possess many advantages to serve as a gateway" for West Africa.
I have also seen China's involvement in the development of other countries in Africa where I have served.
The "New Silk Road" is a development strategy and framework, proposed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping that focuses on connectivity and cooperation between China and other countries in Eurasia and Africa. The strategy underlines China's push to take a bigger role in global affairs, and its need to export China's production capacity in areas of overproduction such as steel manufacturing.
It is interesting to me to see China's influence in Togo as I also have seen it in DR Congo. I can't help but wonder if the U.S. is missing out on an opportunity to strengthen ties with the countries of Africa.
