A high degree of cynicism arose following the announcement of new Chinese investments into South Africa worth some $14.7-billion. However, the investment forms only part of a broader charm offensive by China, which senses an opportunity to exploit the gap being created by the isolationist positioning of rival superpower America. In contrast to the ‘Make America Great Again’ closed door, the Asian giant is moving to open its door even wider through the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. President Xi Jinping says the initiative may have originated in China, but “belongs to the whole world”.