African experts: China respects continent's sovereignty

According to Li, "China believes that the root cause of instability and conflict lies in poverty and underdevelopment. Thus development is the key to solving all problems, including security issues. Only by supporting African countries in achieving coordinated economic and social development and promoting national integration and unity can we fundamentally eradicate the breeding ground for instability."

Martin Kimani, director of Kenya's National Counter-terrorism Center, agreed with Li. He said many African countries have showed interest in the Chinese model of addressing root causes of instability, including poverty and inequality.

"The Chinese development model that has focused on wealth creation and elimination of mass unemployment is at the core of Africa's bid to promote peace and security," said Kimani.

Christopher Chika, director of Asia and Australasia Directorate at Kenya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that China's participation in Africa's peace and security agenda has redefined bilateral ties with the continent in recent times.

"The emerging consensus is to realign China-Africa engagement with our continent's peace and security agenda as we aspire to silence the guns," said Chika.

"China has invested heavily in Africa and therefore it is in its interest to promote peace and security that is key to improve the business environment," he added.

As to the so-called debt trap, Kagwanja said it is an insult to the conscience of the African people, which means the African cannot make choices and can only being trapped with debts.

Anzetse Were, an African development economist and commentator, agreed with Kagwanja.

"Allegations of China's business model in Africa and around the world being a debt trap, or Chinese nationals being racists or out to exploit natural resources of African countries, is a deliberate smear campaign against the success of China's development agenda on the continent," said Were.

Mwangi Wachira a consultant in economic development, said African countries prefer development loans from China compared to countries and institutions from the West because such loans do not come with unfair conditions.

Kagwanja said China's no strings attached support to Africa's socio-economic transformation agenda is providing durable solution to the crisis of poverty and youth unemployment that has fueled civil strife and insecurity in the continent.