Summary
China is deepening its space ties with Africa, particularly Egypt, where a Chinese-backed space lab is assembling satellites.
While presented as a boost for Africa’s space industry, China retains access to satellite data and maintains personnel at these facilities.
The partnerships expand China’s surveillance reach and military capabilities, alarming the U.S. and allies. Beijing denies espionage claims, arguing it promotes global space development.
As the U.S. pulls back on space diplomacy, China’s investments in Africa are securing strategic alliances in the growing global space race.
They’ve been building that portfolio for decades. Unless you’re speaking geologically, there’s been nothing quick about it.
I mean quickly compared to before. They started after the Opium Wars, their efforts are only now coming close to fruition.
That’s how slow works. Lots of effort over a long period for something to come to full effect at a later date.
It’d be quick if they just plopped down a bunch of capital on becoming the worlds foremost everything within a short period of time, which is not what this is.
My point is that it was moving relatively fast now, with benefits to be reaped within the next few years.
Yeah, I know what your point was. I’m saying your point is coming from a place of misinterpretation of how reality works.
How is it a misinterpretation? Have you ever heard of punctuated equilibrium? I’m viewing it as a form of this. Please elaborate as to why you see my view as wrong.
Even in punctuated equilibrium, it’s over a long period. A certain specific mutation can be considered quick, but the overall evolution is still slow.
But it’s still not relevant to this situation.
China is not quickly becoming a successor, they are slowly edging their way there. Just because you’re only paying attention to it now doesn’t mean it was in any way quick.
Who said I wasn’t paying attention? Who said the speed of time was defined by the span of one human life?
It is quick in terms of the lives of nations. I say quick in terms of a perspective of decades vs. centuries.