From 1960 to 1965, which African country was a major area of Chinese political influence?

From 1960 to 1965, the Central African Republic was a major area of Chinese political influence in Africa.

The connection began on September 29, 1964, when President David Dacko’s government established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China and ended its recognition of Taiwan. The decision reflected Dacko’s attempt to reduce dependence on France and appeal to radical elements within the MESAN political movement.

China followed diplomacy with visible political activity. Chinese representatives toured the country, showed communist propaganda films and provided the Central African Republic with an interest-free loan worth one billion CFA francs, then equivalent to about 20 million French francs.

The relationship was short-lived. Jean-Bédel Bokassa’s January 1966 coup was partly justified as an effort to remove alleged communist influence, and his new government expelled Chinese representatives. The country resumed relations with Taiwan in 1968, making the Central African Republic’s mid-1960s turn toward Beijing a brief but notable Cold War episode.