Chinese expansion into Africa continued with the delivery of medical aid to Djibouti residents.

The Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark provided essential medical services to the African nation on December 9, focusing on chronic disease prevention and treatment.

The mission was warmly received by the local population, who expressed gratitude for the assistance.

Communist chiefs said Peace Ark's visit underscores China's 'ongoing commitment to supporting healthcare in the region'.

But critics say that China's expansion into resource-rich Africa provides them with a source of raw materials such as cobalt and lithium for their domestic expansion. It is driven by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which reportedly focuses on securing resources and building infrastructure to enhance global influence.

The BRI is a vast infrastructure project led by China, aiming to connect countries across the globe.

As Africa's largest trading partner, China invests heavily in infrastructure such as railways, ports, and energy projects while providing loans, medical teams, and scholarships.

However, concerns about debt dependency have surfaced as some African countries struggle to repay loans, and China's growing influence challenges Western dominance in global trade and politics.

In the Middle East, China's focus is on energy, with significant investments in oil-rich countries and infrastructure development.

Some analysts view the project as an unsettling expansion of Chinese power.