Is China-Africa Cooperation under China's "Belt and Road" Initiative a "Neo-colonialism"?——Case of the Mombasa–Nairobi Railway

Abstract

China-Africa relations and the One Belt and One Road Initiative attract world-wide attention. Africa has become China's second largest overseas project contracting land and fourth largest foreign investment destination as China-Africa bilateral trade becomes increasingly frequent. However, the further development of China-Africa relations has aroused suspicion and accusations by some of the Western countries. Reports of China's neo-colonialism in Africa have spread from western politicians and mainstream media to government officials in Africa. It occurs China's diplomacy towards African countries face more challenges and pressures. In this paper, it will be exploring the question of whether China-Africa cooperation under the BRI is a "neo-colonialism". To start with, this paper will initially detail existing academic debates, based on the concept of neocolonialism and China-Africa relations thus to explain the question of whether China's economic cooperation in Africa is a "neo-colonialism". Meanwhile, the evaluation of the case of the Mombasa–Nairobi Railway about construction background and problems will be illustrated to refute the arguments of Chinese neocolonialism proposed by Western media. Finally, on this basis, it will come up with a relatively rational conclusion to prove that China's cooperation in Africa is not neo-colonialism.