China and Africa: whose challenge and whose opportunity?

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Periodical article

Title:	China and Africa: whose challenge and whose opportunity?
Author:	Schoeman, Maxi
Year:	2008
Periodical:	Afrika Spectrum
Volume:	43
Issue:	3
Pages:	403-413
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	Africa China Europe
Subjects:	international relations international economic relations
Abstract:	The relationship between China and 'Africa' is not a bilateral relationship, but a series of relations between China and more than 40 countries on the African continent. At the same time, it could be argued that there is scope for generalizing about Africa: China's involvement on the continent might provide the 'big push' needed to propel Africa onto a path of sustainable development, and the continent's growing ties with China pose challenges and opportunities to both Africa, China and Europe (and the West generally). This paper examines the reaction of Europe to relations between China and Africa, the nature of Chinese-African relations, and the opportunities and challenges involved in these relations. It argues that China is not the only power in the 'South' investing in Africa; the Gulf States, India and other East Asian emerging markets are also doing so. This trend in South-South cooperation might herald a new international system structure, hastened by the current economic crisis. Bibliogr., notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]