A member of the drilling team of China Petrochemical Corporation in Sudan communicates with local employees.

Since the reform and opening up, China’s economy has continued to grow at a high speed while the dividends of this economic boom extend beyond its borders, benefiting the world economy and Africa in particular.

Official statistics show that the volume of trade between China and Africa jumped from $10.8 billion in 2000 to $221.88 billion in 2014, and in 2009, the partnership reached a new milestone when China became Africa’s largest trade partner. In 2000, China’s investments in Africa amounted to less than $1 billion, but by 2015, the figure had grown to more than $100 billion.

Based on longitudinal research, South African scholar Martyn Davies said that China’s economic growth has driven the development of Africa, because the growth curve of Africa basically conforms to that of China.

However, some Western observers have ignored or downplayed China’s contributions to Africa. They put forth groundless theories like the “China threat theory,” alleging that China is engaging in neocolonialism and plundering Africa’s resources. The latest example is the contention that China’s economic slowdown has negatively affected Africa’s growth.

There is no need to waste words on such unfounded statements, but a calm analysis of the phenomenon is necessary.

First, these rumormongers have shot themselves in the foot. In the past, when China largely imported raw materials from Africa amid high growth, they said China was a neocolonialist looting resources in Africa. Now that China has restructured its economy and slowed its growth pace, they say it has affected Africa’s economic development. This indicates an acknowledgement that China has indeed contributed to the development of Africa.

Second, the phenomenon reveals that some Westerners still view China with bias, and they have never stopped defaming China. Moreover, the ignorance of some Westerners about the economic situation in Africa is evident in their narrow perspectives.

The current economic downturn in Africa can be attributed to multiple factors. Externally, in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, the world economy has become depressed as a whole, and the prices of many of Africa’s primary products—predominantly resources—have fallen as a result. It is noteworthy that in terms of the entire African continent, most primary products are not destined for China. In other words, the impact of China’s economic decline on Africa is rather limited.

In 2015, China’s economy grew by 6.9 percent based on a GDP of $10 trillion. Other than a slight decrease in the amount of the imports from Africa, there was no significant drop in trade volume. Africa is still a beneficiary of China’s development.

Internally, many African countries lack structural diversity, which has prevented them from reaping the benefits of their demographic dividends and restrained their development.

Take South Africa, the engine of the African economy, as an example. There are four reasons for its sluggish growth.

First, it relies heavily on exports of mineral products like gold and iron ore, while the prices of staple commodities continue to fall. Second, after the US raised interest rates, the country has seen an outflow of capital. Third, labor issues have triggered a spate of strikes, pushing up labor costs for enterprises. Fourth, the depreciation of the rand, the currency of South Africa, and severe inflation have dampened investors’ confidence.

China is a firm supporter of and active participant in Africa’s development. At the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which was held in December 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced 10 plans for bilateral cooperation with Africa that are intended to help the continent accelerate its industrialization, reinforce infrastructure construction and strengthen independent development capacity. These measures are designed to free the continent from external distractions and influences while diversifying and strengthening its economy, and truly realizing long-term stable growth.

The cooperation between China and Africa is always based on mutual benefit. The development of Africa will ultimately benefit the African people.

Li Xinfeng is an expert in African studies and deputy editor-in-chief of the Social Sciences in China Press.