China's smart power strategy towards Africa

China, in the status of a peer competitor to the US, has recognized the need to reap the benefit of such power by using it in different parts of the world including the African continent; since Africa has always been one of China’s areas of interest throughout history. China has used Smart power to assert its position as one of the world's great powers in the foreign policy. With regard to the significance of this type of power in China’s policy towards Africa, this article, through mixed research, seeks to answer the following question: What are the tools employed by China to have an active presence in Africa? The research hypothesis is that, firstly, by stablishing close ties and a strong foothold in international organizations, secondly, by stiving at various levels of diplomacy including cultural, media and exchange to introduce its culture and values to the Continent, thirdly, by scientific, research and technological cooperation as one of main parts of mutual relation, fourthly, by close economic relation in fields of trade and investment, and finally, by performing an active role in improving development indexes including food security, infrastructure, healthcare and environmental protection, China has been able to have an active presence in the continent.