Legitimizing China's Growing Engagement in African Security: Change within Continuity of Official Discourse

Ilaria Carrozza

doi:10.1017/s0305741021000242

Abstract

AbstractPeace and security were once marginal in Sino-African relations. Recently, however, reflecting China's more proactive role as a global security actor, they have become central. Yet while China's actions mirror this shift, the official China–Africa discourse has not changed. This article, based on fieldwork interviews and discourse analysis of official Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) documents, proposes a theoretically grounded study of China's Africa discourse to account for the role it plays in maintaining continuity through time. It makes a threefold claim. First, while the China–Africa discourse has not been given much attention in the literature, it is crucial to explaining the overall success of China's engagement in the continent. Second, the shift in China's policies towards greater participation in peace and security is not mirrored by changes in the official discourse. Third, and related, this is owing mostly to the successful articulation of the link between the promotion of economic growth and the achievement of stability – the security–development nexus – and to the generally positive reception the discourse has found among African leaders.

Highlights

Peace and security were once marginal in Sino-African relations
This article analyses China’s official Africa discourse to account for the role it plays in maintaining continuity throughout shifts in policy
The discourse, premised on “South–South cooperation,” positions China and Africa as long-term friends and partners and has remained relatively stable over the last two decades owing to a series of historical and political narratives which aim to create a sense of belonging and a “common destiny.”

Summary

Introduction

Peace and security were once marginal in Sino-African relations. Recently, reflecting China’s more proactive role as a global security actor, they have become central.

Results

Conclusion