China's influence expansion strategy in Africa (1993-2021)

Smart power is one of the concepts and terms derived from the western discourse and the order of liberal democracy, which has specific meanings, meanings and indicators in this discourse. What is emphasized in this article is a different narrative from the Chinese perspective to smart power. Statistical data, documents and current trends all confirm that despite the dominance of the liberal order and its mechanisms on the political and economic structures of the world, Beijing has increasingly expanded its role and influence in different regions of the world, including Africa. This country has become a key country in the international system by taking advantage of the international opportunities provided by globalization along with the fundamental redefinition of national principles and interests. What enables a deep analysis in the text of this apparent conflict is the Chinese narrative of intelligent power, which is rooted in Chinese culture and thoughts, contemporary historical developments, and ultimately the consensus of the country's elites. Therefore, the main question of this article can be posed as what are the coordinates of Chinese smart power and how can the development and influence of China in Africa be justified based on the concepts and coordinates of this concept of soft power?