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China in Africa: Responsible Partner or Rapacious Superpower?

2 September 2016

Much has been made of China's economic ascendency in Africa, particularly since in 2009 it overtook the US to become the continent's largest trading partner. In general, however, China has been portrayed in one of two ways: as responsible partner – creating new markets for African products and supplying affordable goods to African consumers – or as rapacious superpower – plundering the continent's resources and flooding its markets with cheap products that undermine local production.

China's impacts on African economies and Africa's development is thus one of the most controversial topics in the wider – and rapidly expanding – field of Sino-African relations. Now, 'China's Impacts on Africa's Development', a special issue of the African Review of Economics and Finance edited by Yoon Jung Park, IKD's Ben Lampert, and Winslow Robertson, seeks to advance and deepen the debates.

Although Chinese policies and products impact African economies in different ways and at multiple levels, much research has slipped into disciplinary silos with economists attempting to quantify trade and investment flows, political scientists examining state agendas and diplomatic drivers, and anthropologists charting the local social and cultural impacts. While most of the contributors remain within their disciplinary traditions, in presenting them together it's hoped to inspire further conversations as well as a move towards the genuinely interdisciplinary research that's required.

The issue also supports the important work of disaggregating 'China' and 'Africa'. Whereas much commentary can give the impression that each forms a monolithic actor with clearly defined and distinct interests, the articles add to the growing recognition of the diversity of agents and interests involved. A recognition that in turn enables the identification of the divergent and sometimes conflicting agendas on each 'side' of the relationship, as well as improving understanding of the shared interests that can bring actors together.

Finally, the issue builds on another important theme of recent China-Africa studies: the increasing scope for African actors to take a key role in shaping Sino-African relationships.

Read 'China’s Impacts on Africa’s Development (editorial)'.

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