China's Stadium Diplomacy in Africa

Abstract

China has been building sports stadiums in Africa at an increasing pace owing to its smart power—a combination of its values, cultural influences, and policies—alongside the unconditional economic incentives it gives African countries. The study examines the motives for and consequences of this policy—known as stadium diplomacy—as reflected through newspaper articles published in Chinese, African, and Western online news outlets. Chinese perspectives regard stadium construction as a springboard to increase China's hold on necessary raw materials and facilitate its access to emerging markets. African views are divided as to the benefits of the ties with China. Advocators maintain that the stadiums enable countries to host international sporting events and present a modernist image. Critics point at the discrimination against African labor and the fact that many stadiums are redundant, given that they mainly serve the interests of ruling elites.