China's Past and Present Ties with African Ruling Parties

FILE - South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa, right, with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a state visit at Union Building in Pretoria, South Africa, Aug. 22, 2023.

Political analysts and opposition politicians in Africa accuse China of undermining the spread of democracy in the region by propping up entrenched ruling parties and promoting what Beijing sees as the advantages of one-party rule.