Chinese Actors in Africa: Strong or Smart? Analytical survey and review of monographic studies published in 2020 and 2019 on the activities of Chinese political, economic and cultural actors in Africa

Abstract

The reviewed books examine the engagement of political, economic, and diplomatic actors of China in Africa. The studies jointly provide a broad picture of the current state of the multifaceted compound of China-Africa relations. All together, they represent a convincing evidence of China’s rational combination of its economic and political power in the international arena with the skillful use of new opportunities that open up due to the acceleration of Africa’s development, while wisely distancing itself from excessive ideologization or politicization of Sino-African cooperation.