Chinese President Xi Jinping walks with Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, July 10, 2026. A non-stop stream of world leaders has arrived seeking to deepen or recalibrate relations with China. Moreover, many African countries retain greater policy autonomy than regions where relations with China are increasingly shaped by geopolitical competition. This flexibility is a distinctive advantage, enabling African countries to pursue cooperation with China on terms aligned with their own development priorities. Countries that approach China with clear priorities, concrete projects, and sector-specific proposals will be better positioned to shape the direction of cooperation.