DJIBOUTI AS CHINA’S IMPORTANT LOGISTICS HUB IN EAST AFRICA UNDER THE “ONE BELT, ONE ROAD INITIATIVE”

Abstract

The article analyzes the features of China’s interaction with Djibouti within the framework of the One Belt, One Road Initiative (OBOR). The purpose of this article is to identify not only the reasons for China’s interest in expanding cooperation with Djibouti, but also to consider promising areas of cooperation between the countries. The article confirms the thesis that the new policy of the fifth leadership of the PRC, headed by Xi Jinping, “turned the pages” of Deng Xiaoping’s precepts and actively switched to the construction of alternative US-centric port systems to project Chinese power in the Indian Ocean, which is also a zone of confrontation between China and India.
The theoretical basis of the study was the theory of “power transition” (Power transition theory), which is predetermined by the increasing competition of foreign states in Africa, including between China and the United States. The methodological basis was the works of A.F. Organsky, J. Kugler, D. Lemke, R. Tammen. The article focuses on the 8th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum 2021, new contours of cooperation between countries, including the fight against Covid-19. The author believes that despite a number of difficulties, including the influence of external factors, the parties will only increase interaction within the framework of the Maritime Silk Road of the 21st century. Among other things, the Chinese side will continue to pay great attention to the development of South-South dialogue between the PRC and Djibouti. The new struggle for Africa that has unfolded between the traditional and new players on the continent will stimulate China to build up its presence in the region.