A Case of Mistaken Identity

China Inc.” and Its “Imperialism” in Sub‐Saharan Africa

Bibliographic Data

ID6040592
AuthorsIan Taylor (0000-0002-8721-3759, University of St Andrews, corresponding author), Yuhua Xiao (Zhejiang Normal University)
Year2009
Volume1
Issue4
Pages709-725
Publication date2009-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAsian Politics & Policy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1943-0787 • E-ISSN: 1943-0779
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1943-0787.2009.01149.x
OpenAlexW2167053254
LanguageEN
Citations received26
References cited18

The emergence of major Chinese economic and political stakes in Africa is arguably the most important process to have emerged on the African continent since the end of the Cold War. China is now Africa's second most important trading partner, behind the United States but ahead of France and the United Kingdom. Relations are a continuation of Sino‐African historical ties, propelled by China's desire to obtain new sources of raw materials and energy for its ongoing economic growth and new export markets for China‐based producers on the one hand, and African elites' initiatives to find a non‐Western option/leverage on the other hand. However, various commentators have misunderstood the nature of this expansion. It is common for observers to talk of either Chinese “colonization” of Africa, or of “China Inc.'s” venture into Africa. Both views are wide of the mark and reflect an ignorance of the dynamics underpinning the developing relationships between Chinese and African actors

China · Cold war · Development economics · Economics · Economy · Ignorance · Leverage (statistics · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Underpinning · China's Global Influence and Migration · China's Socioeconomic Reforms and Governance · International Development and Aid · Law