China's Cultural Soft Power Strategy in Africa

China is leveraging soft power to expand cultural influence in Africa, as exemplified by the series 'Classics Quoted by Xi Jinping' launched during the President's state visit to South Africa. The series aims to teach traditional Chinese culture to African audiences, framing it as integral to contemporary Chinese policy. This is part of a broader strategy: since the late 1990s, China has financed and built much of Africa's digital infrastructure and numerous other projects (roads, highways, mines), requiring a physical Chinese presence in African cities. Mandarin is now taught in secondary schools in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa; in Kenya, children from age 10 can study Chinese. The approach follows a sequence: capital, infrastructure, trade, then culture. China exports its contemporary self, using heritage as added value. The article, by Stefano Monti on Artribune, contrasts this with Italy's failure to embed itself in other economies, instead letting others invest in its lifestyle. Monti argues Italy should invest in its Cultural and Creative Industries to build competitive advantages and long-term partnerships.