Djibouti is a small country located in southern Africa, and although the land resources are relatively poor, its geographical location brings it great strategic value. Located at the mouth of the Red Sea, Djibouti is a stronghold in the Horn of Africa, so historically, European countries have been eyeing it in the hope of capturing Djibouti to control important maritime supply routes. In Djibouti, there are only 10,000 troops stationed on the mainland, but there are nearly 20,000 troops from all over the world, and colorful flags and military bases can be seen everywhere. However, due to its relative weakness, Djibouti has long been a colony of other countries and lacks autonomy.
After Djibouti fell into trouble, France built a railway called the "Djibouti Railway" in the country, hoping to promote Djibouti's economic development through this project. However, due to various reasons such as war, the Jakarta-Djibouti railway eventually became scrap metal. Subsequently, the United States saw an opportunity for the development of Djibouti, was willing to provide economic assistance and wanted to create a military base in the country. Djibouti warmly welcomed the United States aid, but the country's resources and barren arable land proved to be limited, and the United States had quickly exhausted its poverty alleviation funds, while concrete development plans had been delayed. In the decades since, many developed countries have also provided economic support and established military bases in Djibouti in the hope of helping the country lift itself out of poverty, but the results have been unsatisfactory.
In 2013, China decided to provide aid to Djibouti, bringing new hope to this impoverished and backward country. In just three years, Djibouti has managed to lift the hat of poverty and the living standards of its people have improved significantly. China's ability to help Djibouti lift itself out of poverty in a short period of time is mainly due to China's Belt and Road Initiative. Djibouti happens to be a necessary destination in the Belt and Road Initiative, and China has decided to help Djibouti achieve economic development and poverty alleviation through cooperation. After the establishment of a cooperative relationship between the two sides, Djibouti built the "New Jabouti-Djibouti Railway" with the help of China, which opened up Ethiopia's access to the sea and greatly promoted Djibouti's economic recovery. In addition, China has helped to solve the biggest problem facing Djibouti – the lack of resources. China has introduced water resources from Ethiopia and built a substation in Djibouti, which has solved the problem of water and electricity, improved the quality of life of the people, and promoted the development of the domestic economy.
Djibouti is deeply grateful to China for its help, and in order to express its gratitude to China, Djibouti** has taken a series of measures. In 2018, Djibouti promised China to establish an international free zone in the region, providing more convenient conditions for economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. In addition, Djibouti has also offered China to establish a logistics base in the country to assist China in better fulfilling its international responsibilities and obligations. These measures have further enhanced the cooperative relations between China and Djibouti, and enabled Djibouti to better realize its own development goals and aspirations for common prosperity.
Through its assistance to Djibouti, China has demonstrated its responsibility and strength as a responsible major country. Through the Belt and Road Initiative, China has leveraged its own advantages and focused its assistance on infrastructure construction and resource integration, effectively promoting Djibouti's economic development and poverty alleviation. At the same time, China's assistance has also been highly appreciated by the people of Djibouti**, which has expressed its gratitude to China with concrete actions by providing facilitation conditions and cooperation opportunities. This case shows that China's assistance is not only for its own interests, but also out of a sincere desire and commitment to help developing countries and help them get rid of poverty and backwardness. Compared with Western countries, China's assistance is more pragmatic and effective, and has been recognized and welcomed by more developing countries.
However, it should be noted that China's assistance is not simply a generous donation, but is more based on the principle of win-win cooperation. By aiding the country's economic development, China has also gained more economic and political benefits. For example, in Djibouti's cooperation, China has obtained the right to operate the new Jacson-Djibouti railway for six years and established a logistics base in Djibouti, enhancing its influence and strategic position in the region.
Finally, this case once again proves the feasibility and success of China's aid model, and provides reference and inspiration for other developing countries. Through infrastructure construction, resource integration and practical cooperation, China has helped these countries achieve economic development and social progress, providing a feasible path and example for changing the face of poverty in African countries.