Abstract
Since the end of the Cold War and the emergence of rapid globalisation, China’s economic role has gained remarkable prominence in a system once dominated by capital from developed countries. In this way, China’s contemporary visible presence in the international political economy has attracted significant attention in both academic and media discourse across the globe but more importantly in the developing geo-political terrains such as Africa. The discussion of China-Africa relationship at policy levels is therefore compelling against such a background. The common concern has been whether China’s Africa policy marks any significant change in Africa’s international political economy. Trade between the two partners has grown and China is accorded access to supplies of natural resources such as oil, copper and diamonds among other vital resources. The article seeks to examine the most pertinent question in relation to China-Africa economic relationship: to what extent is Chinese involvement in Africa any different from the hallmarks of neo-colonialism? The argument of the article is divided as follows. It begins with a dissection of the origins of the relations; it then explores the complex relationship through the lenses of the competing views on China’s policy on Africa; a position on whether China exudes the qualities of a neo-colonial poweris then taken. The article concludes with proffered recommendations.
Highlights
Since the end of the Cold War and the emergence of rapid globalisation, China’s economic role has gained remarkable prominence in a system once dominated by capital from developed countries
The acquiescence by African leaders to whatever the Chinese actors seek in Africa, especially the failure to address labour conditions and importation of sub -standard but cheap Chinese products as well as the open glorification of China by African leaders has negative implications: firstly, it emboldens China’s current policy and works against commitment to improve their business philosophy; and secondly, it paves way for mental colonisation
The joint venture company has embarked on corporate social responsibilities in the business operation area by developing modern infrastructure such as modern hospitals, schools and housing units for the villagers in the area (Interview with marketing manager, 20 December 2012, Zimbabwe). Such activities have become the basis for public relations by both African politicians and the Chinese government to depict China as seeking to “help” Africa than to exploit its resources yet the impact of the policy is seldom exposed, perhaps for clear political calculations
Summary
Since the end of the Cold War and the emergence of rapid globalisation, China’s economic role has gained remarkable prominence in a system once dominated by capital from developed countries. China is not philanthropic development partner and the relationship is considered a lopsided one where African governments are mostly embracing China because of its policy of “no political strings” attached as compared to other sources of capital.
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