china's african policy driving forces, features and global impact by he wen ping

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China's African PolicyHe Wen Ping a b c

a African Studies Section , Institute of West-

Asian and African Studies (IWAAS), Chinese

Academy of Social Sciences (CASS)b Chinese Asian and African Research Society

c Research Society for African Problems and

Asian-African Development and Exchange

Society of ChinaPublished online: 02 Jan 2013.

To cite this article: He Wen Ping (2009) China's African Policy, Africa Review,

1:1, 35-53

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09744053.2009.10597279

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China s African Policy

Driving Forces, Features

nd

Global Impact

e Wen Ping

ntroduction

With China's rapid economic growth and the improvement of national comprehensive

power, Sino-African relations are also entering a new period of fast development

and becoming a focus of international coverage.

n

the past several years, especially

in 2006, the hottest year in the relationship between China and Africa and the Year

of Africa in China's diplomacy, from the governmental document, multinational

forum and leaders' shuttle visiting,

it

can be found Africa indeed became the focus in

China's diplomatic map. Also in 2006, China became Africa's third largest trading

partner, trade volume had reached US$ 56 billion in that year (an increase of

40

from 2005) following the United States and France (Mills Thompson, 2008)making

Africa one of China's major overseas origins for strategic resources, investment

opportunities and a market for Chinese products. Naturally, media

in

the world,

especially in the West, has given a lot of explanations on the motivations, driving

forces and aims of China's African policy. China has been often described by some

media as scrambling for resources or neo-colonialism aimed at imposing its

political and economic influence on this continent. However, China argues that its

relation with Africa is based purely on political equality, mutual respect, mutual trust

and economic win-win cooperation. So, what's the real picture of China's African

policy? What are the driving forces and features of the policy? And how do we see its

global impact and particularly the significance for South-South cooperation?

The

author

is Professor Director

of

African Studies Section at the Institute

of

West-Asian and

African Studies (IWAAS). Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). She is also serving as

Secretary General of the Chinese Asian and African Research Society as well as Standing Member

of the

Research

Society

for African Problems

and Asian-African

Development and

Exchange

Society of China.

frica Review I, I (2009): 35-53

African Studies Association

of

India, New Delhi

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36

H W N PIN

Driving Forces: National Characteristics, State Interests and Diplomatic

Strategy

Oftentimes. Western media· and scholars attribute the development o the

relationship between China and Africa merely (or mainly) to demand for

resources (particularly the demand for energy) (Pan, 2006; Vines, 2006). But

this explanation seems to ignore the fact that only in 1993 did China go from

being

an

energy exporter to

an

energy importer, and that since the People s

Republic o China was established

in

1949, the Sino-African relationship has

been developing steadily and healthily and Africa has consistently been

positioned highly

in

China s diplomacy.

In

addition, the current development

o

China s relationship with Africa

is

not confined

to

those resource-rich African

countries, but with all African countries that have diplomatic relations with China.

The direct beneficiaries o Chinese measures including debt reduction, zero

tariff treatment, and aid increase to those least-developed African countries,

most o

which are not rich

in

resources.

Obviously, although the need

for

resources

is. in

fact one

o

the driving forces

behind China s African policy, it

is

certainly not the only nor

is

it the key factor. To

objectively analyze the driving forces behind China s African policy,

it

is

needed

to

take a broader view and a comprehensive perspective

as

China s national

characteristics, her aational interest as well

as

her overall diplomatic strategy and

thinking.

China s National Characteristics

China s national characteristics are mainly manifested

in

three aspects i.e., big

country, socialist country

and

developing country.

From Regional Power to World Power

Because ofthe weakness and poverty o China

in

the past one and a half centuries,

Western nations became somewhat accustomed

to

a China

o

minimal influence,

while China itself seemed to have become used to a certain degree o neglect by

the international community. Since

it

started the reform and opening drive toward

the end

o

1970s, China has achieved astounding results

in

its economic

development, social progress and risen speed o national strength and

international position among big countries

in

the world. These factors, together

with a population and territory among

t ~

largest in the world, have fully revealed

the potential o China

as

a world power

in

the process o growing

from

a weak

nation to a regional power and then to a power with global influence.

Undoubtedly, China has grown

from

a weak nation to a regional power with

enough influence

in

East Asia.

But

for a world power, the key performance

indicators that apply include the aggregate

o

economic growth, the level

o

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China s African Policy: Driving Forces, Features

and

Global Impact I

37

science and technology, national defense capability and, more importantly, its

sphere and ability

of

political influence, contributions to global governance and

the process of establishing a new

order

in international politics and economy.

To be a world power and play a constructive role

in

the international community,

China, of course, cannot do without the support of African countries. The 53

African countries account for about half of the nonaligned nations and nearly

one-third of the UN member countries. Without the political and moral support

of African countries, the smooth progress of any international initiative or

multilateral action would be unimaginable.

Meanwhile, China also carries dual national features in the transition process

from a regional power to a world power. On the one hand, China

is

currently the

fourth largest economy in the world in terms ofoverall economic size and value that

gives China certain power to join G8 for discussing and negotiating the developing

trend

of

global economic deyelopment, and contributing to North-South cooperation

and dialogue; on the other hand, given the huge population and low starting point of

economic development, its per capita GDP

is

under 2,000- far below that of some

African countries. China also faces domestic problems, such as unbalanced regional

development, a widening wealth gap, rising unemployment rates and an insufficient

social safety net, all of which are problems shared by many African economies.

Therefore, being the only developing country with a permanent seat in the U.N.

Security Council, China

is

the country that understands the situation

in

Africa most

and has a role as spokesman for all developing countries, including those in Africa.

The Nature of Socialist

Country

n its preamble and general principles, the Constitution of the People's Republic of

China clearly points out that the socialist system

is

the basic system

of

the People's

Republic ofChina and adheres to

an

independent foreign policy as well as to the five

principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non

aggression, non-interference in other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit,

and peaceful coexistence and

it

consistently opposes imperialism, hegemonism and

colonialism; and supports the oppressed nations and developing countries

in

their

just struggle to win and preserve national independence and develop their national

economies. Because of its nature of socialism China always insists on the equality of

all countries, no matter if

it is

big or small, rich or poor. China is also against the

power politics and use

of

force to resolve disputes. With the lapse

of

time, China

today no longer aligns its diplomatic policy toward Africa with the ideology it did in

the 1960s and 1970s. But China insists the cornerstone of socialism, as a philosophy

and a system, its respect for the weak and pursuit

of

common wealth and development.

The peaceful diplomacy and the establishment of a just international order are

not only legacies of China's diplomacy with Africa

in

that age, but also a keynote

of its diplomatic policy toward Africa over the past 50 years.

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Given the economic globalization

of

today, it

is

quite natural that China has shifted

its diplomacy from being ideology-oriented idealism as

in

the past to the present

reality-led economic rationality and from unconditional internationalism to giving

priority to national interests. While China has moved increasingly towards a market

based system, the Five Principles' guiding relations between China and the African

and Arab nations and the eight principles

governing foreign aid put forward by late

Premier Zhou Enlai when he paid a visit to Africa in the 1960s remain constant and

strictly adhered by the Chinese government. Among them, even though the two

principles called non-interference in other countries' domestic issues , and no

strings attached foreign aid policy particularly have been under heavy fire from the

Western media. Actually the principles themselves speak for the nature

of

mutual

respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect the ruling capability

of

other

legitimate authority, as well as provide economic assistance based on equality and

sincerity. Normally, interference and aid-providing follow the paths as the

stronger interferes in the internal affairs

ofthe

weaker and the richer provides

aid to the poorer . Not vice versa. n this sense, the two principles reflect exactly

the understanding and support of China, being a socialist country, to the weaker

countries for safeguarding their sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity.

China believes that upholding noninterference and offering unconditional aid are

important to its principles to develop lasting relations with Africa.

n

fact, based on

these principles, Sino-African relations have been developing smoothly in the past

over

half

century. These principles form the foundation of basic equality between

China and African countries (He. 2006).

The

Nature

of Developing Country

Although to be a developed country is the goal, China is still a developing country.

On the one hand, as the only developing country of the five permanent members

in

the United Nations Security Council, it

is

China's unshirkable duty to speak for

developing countries including African countries

in

the United Nations and other

international multilateral cooperation mechanisms. On the other hand, the nature of

being a developing country decides that China

can t

make aid promises to African

countries exceeding the permit of he national power with current economic strength.

To become world powers, overseas frontier expansion by war and colonial

ways is necessary to big countries. As the largest developing country in the world,

China is neither capable of nor willing to take the road taken by big countries in

history but seeking its own peaceful road to become a world power. The road

of

China is an open one actualized through its deep involvement in the process of

economic globalization.

n

its development, China will not and has no wish to

challenge the existing international order (China itselfbeing a de facto beneficiary

of such order to some extent). Instead, it hopes to use the method of reform to

gradually improve the existing international political and economic order. After

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China s African Policy: Driving Forces, Features and Global Impact 139

all, this or-der which

was

set up after the Second World War, focused more on the

interests

of

large and powerful countries and contained elements that were unfair

and unreasonable for weak and small countries. As the world's largest developing

country, China has the responsibility and obligation to make its own contributions

in

reforming these unfair and unreasonable components as it merges into the

international community.

As a power

in

transition (from

an

underdeveloped to a developing and then to a

developed country), China not only has responsibilities in strengthening South-South

cooperation, but also shoulders the historical mission

of

promoting South-North

cooperation and dialogue. Furthermore,

in

the existing international order dominated

by the West, China needs to build up an image as a responsible, constructive and

predictable power to provide more pub

ic

goods for world development and make its

unique contribution to the harmonious development

of

the world.

China s

National Interests and Diplomatic Strategy

Fundamentally speaking, national interests are the basis and the starting point for

making diplomatic strategy and policy. In regard ofcontent, national interests consist

of

security interest, political interest, economic interest and cultural interest, etc.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, national interests have

undergone a progressive and transformative process as emphasis on security

in

the

early period after the founding of the country shifted to political interest

in

1960s

and 70s, to economic interest in 1980s, to both political and economic interest in

90s, and finally to cultural interest in addition to political and economic interests

in

the 21

••

century. At the moment, although the US, Europe and the surrounding countries

still focus on China's foreign relations, Africa is also serving as the cornerstone

in

China's diplomatic strategy.

First of all, in terms of China's political and security interests, Africa has always

been regarded as its most reliable ally

in

the international struggle. Decades ago, in

1971, the People's Republic ofChina waS>restored to its lawful seat

in

the UN thanks

to the support

of

African countries that helped a lot for breaking through the strategic

siege from the former Soviet Union and theUS as well as China's diplomatic isolation

during the Cold War.Afterthe end of the Cold War especially after the Beijing "Tian

Anmen Event" in 1989, China was facing a new round

of

diplomatic isolation and

sanctions from the West. For instance, prior to 2004, the United States, in its efforts

(along with other western countries) to foist their values on others, brought

proposals against China for its human rights record at the United Nations Conference

on Human Rights. African nations, which hold 15 of the

53

seats at the Commission

on Human Rights helped block these proposals. China could not have defeated such

proposals without the strong support ofAfrica.

Also in the UN, African countries helped to prevent 14 proposals raised on the

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General Committee before the annual

UN

General Assembly for Taiwan to rejoin

or participate in the UN from getting on the formal agenda since 1990. As a matter

offact, curbing Taiwanese independence was the predominant focus

of

Sino-African

relations from the late 1980s until the early 1990s. Strong Sino-African relationship

played an important role in responding to Taiwan's so-called flexible diplomacy ,

and in opposing their drive for two Chinas, or one China, one Taiwan

(Tubilewicz, 2002). At that time, Chinese scholars believed that China's main

interest

in

Latin America and Africa was to prevent the Taiwanese authorities from

making trouble (for China) by taking advantage of small countries there (Yan,

1997). However, over time, Taiwan's diplomatic sway decreased as the national

strength

of

the Chinese mainland continued to grow. At present, only four African

countries, namely Swaziland, Sao Tome and Principe, Gambia and Burkina Faso

maintain so-called diplomatic relations with Taiwan. While the dominance of

Taiwan in Sino-African relations continues to decline, Africa

is

playing an

increasingly impmtant role

in

China's efforts to deal with non-traditional security

threats. Following

9 11

and the outbreak ofSARS in 2003, terrorism and the spread

of deadly diseases have been given much more attention globally. These and other

non--traditional security issues such

as

small arms smuggling, drug trafficking and

transnational crime have all become very important and are documented as part

of

future China-Africa cooperation.

Secondly,

in

terms of China's economic interest and to develop Sino-African

relations is the requirement for China's economy to carry out sustainable development.

Africa's rich natural resources and potential market advantages have great strategic

meaning to China's economic development in the 21 century. With its rapid pace of

modernization and economic reform, China must expand into new overseas markets

and secure the supply of raw materials since they are very important for sustaining

the growth it needs for national development and stability. After her accession to

WTO in 200 I, the Chinese government has made further moves to encourage Chinese

enterprises going out to join global competition and expand new markets. In fact,

from the angle

of

economics, China-Africa co-operation will bring each other's

advantages into full play. There are 53 countries on the African continent, with a

total population of 850 million, they abound in natural and human resources, have

great market potential and boast huge potential for development. However, owing to

long-time colonialist plundering and local conflicts, the Continent remains backward

economically, Jacking capital, technology and expertise. On the other hand, China

has acquired much economic strength and expertise over the past three decades since

the country embarked on the road of reform and opening

up

in the late 1970s. At the

same time, however, it is confronted with the problems

of

short resource supplies

and ever-fiercer competition in the domestic economic arena. Taking all this into

account, China and Africa complement one another in resources, market, capital,

technology and expertise. And much can be done

in

this regard.

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China s African Policy: Driving Forces, Features

nd

Global impact 141

Finally

in

terms

o

grand diplomatic strategy, Sino-African cooperation

will be

beneficial

to

the trend

o

multi-polarization

o

world politics and the proceeding

o

China's harmonious world building.

It

will

also

help

to

raise both China and Africa's

international influence and that o developing countries

as

a

whole.

Since China

adopted the reform

and

opening up policy its economy

and

prestige have grown

rapidly.

Its

influence on international affairs has

also

increased. Likewise, Africa is

an

important player

in

international affairs. After suffering

from

political turbulence

and economic recession in the early period

o

post-Cold War most African countries

have

now become politically stable and economically recovered. Besides, their

international position and

image have

improved. China and Africa share a broad

consensus on major international

issues.

They have traditionally cooperated with

each other in this regard. Enhanced coordination on these matters serves the common

interests

o

both sides. They are expected

to

step up collaboration to promote

multilateralism

and

democracy in international relations and

the

UN

reform and work

together for peace and harmony in the world.

In addition, with China's rapid economic development and increasing international

influence, the so-called China threat theory has been lingering over China. The

outside world, especially

the

West seems doubtful about China's future direction o

develapment and the

way

it

would

use its

power.

In response,

the

Chinese government

has constantly expressed its idea of peaceful development and no intention to 1;1ssume

and behave as a superpower. From the peaceful rising , peaceful development to

harmonious world , the evolution

o

carefully chosen Chinese diplomatic saying

during

the

recent years, as

well

as

the

message elaborated in the opening ceremony

o

the 29 h Beijing Olympic Games show clearly that China has determined to

rejuvenate the country

and its

culture by peaceful

means.

Actually,

as

a big country

with Confucian cultural traditions for thousands of years and as a country with a

long

civilized history, China's diplomacy

has been

influenced

by

traditional thoughts

like harmonious world , partner under harmony

and

harmonious coexistence .

Therefore, excluding military force and power politics has become

the

principle

character of China's foreign policy coming

down

from the otd origin.

After

all the

driving force behind China's

African

policy transcends mere resource-

driving practicalities, and

is

closely related to China's national characteristics and

overall diplomatic strategic pursuits.

To

put

it

in another way ·developing

th e

Sino-Africa relationship is inseparable from the three necessities

o

China's

diplomacy. i.e. to develop Sino-Africa relations conducive to the promotion

o

China's

international position, serves

as

important support for China to develop relations

with

big

countries and

is

necessary for establishing new South-South cooperative

relations with other developing countries;

it

is necessary to achieve sustainable

development o the Chinese economy; and also necessary to oppose Taiwan

secessionism

and

achieve

the

reunification of China. The three necessities are

three levels of interests that

China

wants

to

get from Africa.

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Features: Mechanism Building, All-round Relations and

Soft

Power

Construction

Mechanism Building: Forum o China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)

As major components of he developing countries and important forces in promoting

peace and development in the world, China and Africa have realized that they should

strengthen exchanges and coordination, express their common positions regarding

major international issues, and jointly outline their future cooperation through a

platform of multilateral consultation. Hence, the birth of he Forum ofChina-Africa

Cooperation (FOCAC)

in

2000. At the end

of

1990s, some African countries proposed

that as the US, Britain, France, Japan and Europe have established a contact

mechanism with Africa, it was necessary for China and Africa to establish a similar

mechanism to fit

in

with the needs of strengthening relations. After earnest study,

China decided to echo the suggestions ofAfrican countries, and proposed to hold the

Forum

in

2000.

In

October 2000, the first FOCAC was held in Beijing and focused on two major

areas: how to promote and establish a just and equitable new international order, and

to further strengthen co-operation between China and Africa on economic and social

development. The Forum reached consensus on a wide range of issues and adopted

two important policy documents

- the

Beijing Declaration and the Programme of

Cooperation on Economic and Social Development.

It

also decided to hold a ministerial

conference every three years, alternating between China and Africa.

During the Forum, the major measure that the Chinese government offered was to

write

off

debts worth RMB I 0 billion to African countries within two years. In fact, the

Chinese government completed ahead of schedule the greater reduction of African

debts. By June 2002, China had signed debt exemption protocols with

3

African

nations, caRceling 56 African debts totalling RMB 10.5 billion. At the same time,

China urged the international community to honour its debt reduction promises without

further delay.

The second FOCAC was held

in

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in December 2003, for

the first time in Africa. The main task was to review the implementation of the two

documents adopted at the first Summit and to explore new ideas and measures to

deepen co-operation. The meeting concluded with the adoption of he Addis Ababa

Action Plan

(2004-2006),

which reflected consensus by both sides on political

issues and other important international issues

of

common concern. Alongside the

Addis Ababa Forum, the China-Africa Business Conference was also held.

Representatives from nearly I00 Chinese enterprises discussed business

opportunities and linkages with their African counterparts, which culminated in

the signing of many contracts of intent to do business.

The major concrete measures that China promised to undertake included the

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following: granting some African countries tariff-free treatment for their exports to

China; expediting increased revenue and alleviate poverty by exempting import tariffs

for certain commodities

of

the least developed countries, so as to facilitate and expand

the entry of exports from these countries into the Chinese market; increase assistance

and channel more resources into the African Human Resources Development Fund

3

,

the Chinese government decided to launch the 2004-2006 China-Africa Inter

Governmental Human Resources Development Plan under the Fund. Other measures

include boosting tourism co-operation by encouraging more Chinese citizens to travel

to Africa\ and holding a series

of

events to promote better understanding between the

peoples

5

,

especially the younger generations

of

the two sides.

In November 2006, the third FOCAC together with the first Sino-African Heads

of States Summit was held in Beijing. At the opening ceremony of the Summit,

President Hu Jintao unveiled an eight-point proposal supporting African development

in

the coming three years

in

a bid to promote the bilateral co-operation in a wider

scope and on a higher level. The eight initiatives are: I) double the

2006

level of

assistance by

2009; 2)

provide $US 5 billion in preferential loans and credits within

the next three years; 3) $US 5 billion to support Chinese companies to invest in

Africa; 4) construct a conference center for African Union; 5) cancel debt owed by

the heavily indebted poor countries; 6) increase zero-tariff export items to China

from 190 to over

440

from the least developed countries; 7) Set up 3-5 trade and

economic zones in Africa; 8) Send Chinese experts to Africa and train African

professionals in areas

of

agriculture, health, education, science and technc;>Jogy

The experience and practice of the China-Africa Forum over the past years since

its founding indicate that it is not an empty-talk club. It is an important platform and

effective mechanism conducting collective dialogue between China and African

nations and. exchanges

in

governance, promoting mutual trust and carrying out

pragmatic co-operation.

All-round Cooperation: a New Type ofChina-Africa Strategic Partnership.

During the Summit, Sino-African Heads

of

States also reached the consensus

of

building a new type of China-Africa strategic partnership . The central feature of

the new partnership

is

the consolidation

ofthe

bilateral co-operation in

an

all-round

way, namely, in the political, economic, cultural and security fields, as well as in

international affairs.

In the political sphere, China and Africa need each other and always support

each other

in

bilateral ways and in the international area. When the West ties

development assistance to African countries with democratic transition , China

respects African countries' right to choose the path of development independently.

When African Union (AU) was established in

2001,

while some western opinion

looked down on its performance and future, China applauded the birth

of

AU and

always supports African countries' efforts to seek renewal through strengthening

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44 H W N

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unity. China also takes an active part in the international efforts to promote peace

and development in Africa.

In

recent years, China has efficiently participated in UN

peacekeeping operations in Africa. To date, it has dispatched more than 3,000

peacekeepers on 2 UN missions in Africa. Today, over I 000 Chinese service people

are working

on eight missions there. African countries, for their part, support the

one-China policy and are opposed to Western countries' interference in China's internal

affairs

in

the name

of human

rights.

Economically, the new type

of

China-Africa partnership is also about

establishing benefits

of

mutual economic engagement. With China being the largest

developing country and Africa comprising the largest concentration

of

developing

countries, it

is without doubt that each has a long road to sustainable development.

Despite China's economic progress, it faces new problems such as a severe energy

shortage and escalating competition in its domestic market. Given these factors,

the Chinese government encourages Chinese firms to invest in

Africa

in

various

fields such as trade, agriculture, infrastructure constructioo, mining and tourism,

while offering an increasing amount of assistance to expedite the Continent's

development trajectory.

To date, China has spent RMB 44.4 billion

in

assisting African countries with

over 800 projects including textile factories, hydropower stations, stadiums, hospitals

and schools. At present, trade between China and Africa is undergoing rapid growth.

The bilateral trade volume rose from US$12.11 million in the 1950s to US$1 0.5

billion in 2000, US$29.4 billion in 2004, nearly US$40 billion in 2005, and over

US$73 billion in 2007. In recent years China has increased imports from African

countries and thus maintained a trade deficit with them, enabling these countries to

earn a large amount of foreign exchange.

Moreover Chinese firms have redoubled their efforts to penetrate the African

market. To date, direct Chinese investment in Africa has reached US$1.25 billion.

Over

800

companies are currently operating in Africa, engaged in trade,

manufacturing, natural resource exploitation, transportation, agriculture and

agricultural processing. Chinese companies have helped create

employment

opportunities in African countries, increase their tax revenues, introduce practical

technologies to these countries, enhancing the competence of local workers and

improve their productivity.

On the cultural front, China and Africa are aiming to become equal partners

jointly promoting the prosperity and progress of

human civilisation. China and Africa

are both origins

of

human civilisation, boasting brilliant cultural heritages. At its

source, African culture has a lot in common with Chinese culture. For example, both

value community spirit and the tradition

of

yielding personal benefits in the interests

of the community. Given these common values, China and Africa are expected to

further strengthen their cultural linkages with a view to build a harmonious world

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China s

fncan

Policy: Drivmg Forces, Features and Global Impact 145

where different civilisations co-exist

in

the spirit of tolerance and equality, and also

learning from each other.

In

a broader sense, cultural exchange

is

not only limited to

exchanging students and teachers, and holding arts performances and exhibitions.

Chinese medical teams and other flourishing programmes such as China's training

of

African workers and the exchange of experiences in pursuing development are also

part of the China-Africa cultural exchange.

In the field

of

security, China and Africa should enhance exchanges and

consultation, thus raising the awareness of collective security in the international

community, promoting a new security concept featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit,

equality and co-operation and shaping an international environment favourable for

common development. Clearly, the future

of

China-African co-operation also holds

significant relevance in nontraditional security field, such as preventing major

infectious diseases, including bird flu, and addressing cross-border crimes so they

can jointly deal with the challenges posed by globalisation. Hence, the new impulse

in China-Africa relations can be felt on many fronts. This multi-dimensional approach

to strengthening relations

is

markedly different from that which Africa has managed

with its traditional development partners.

Nevertheless, we should also be fully aware that all the goodwill strategies on

paper will face challenges in the process

of

implementation. Nowadays, there are a

lot

of

concerns both from the West and Africa about China's perceived impact on

political systems and economic development in Africa, such as China's non

intervention in domestic affairs policy which may be regarded as a serious threat to

democracy, human rights and good governance building in Africa, the possible

crowding out effects of Chinese exports on domestic industries in Africa, etc.

In

a

book chapter published this year

in

the UK, I analysed these bottlenecks

in

China

Africa relations and argued the ways forward to deal with these challenges in the

future (He, 2008). In fact, I agree that the non-interference policy today is facing

new challenges such as how to respond to the human rights issue and poor governance

in some African countries. Take the Darfur issue as an example, how to seek a balance

between the traditional principle

of non

- interference with the requests and needs

of

international society

is

no doubt a constant challenge for China's Africa diplomacy.

Through the appointment ofspecial envoy on Darfur and increasing the humanitarian

assistance to the region, as well as persuading the Sudanese government to cooperate

with international society, we are happy to see that the Chinese official policy has

showed more and more flexibility and pragmatism so

far.

Soft Power Construction

The rise

of

China's international influence is also closely contingent on the growth

of

its soft power. With its rapidly growing economy, China has begun to cultivate the

attraction of its language, culture, political values and diplomacy around the world.

Africa is perhaps the most important testing ground for the promotion

of

Chinese

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46 H W N

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soft power. These efforts have come in mainly two forms: bringing Africans to China

and sending Chinese to Africa-exchanges which strive to share China s experience

in national development.

To this end, China has promised to up its efforts in human resource training for

Africa. Invitations have been extended to a variety

of

African specialists (Party and

government cadres, economic management personnel, middle- and high-ranking

military officers and professional technical personnel) to visit China for opportunities

to learn both professional and technical skills as well as get a close and personal feel

for China s development experience

6

•

China also dispatches many Chinese experts

to African countries to give lectures at universities, visit medical facilities and hospitals

and advise farmers on agricultural production techniques.

The Chinese government has also robustly promoted the development ofChinese

language instruction overseas over the past few years. By the end of March 2007,

Confucius Institutes in Africa had been set up in 7 African countries: Egypt, Zimbabwe,

Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Rwanda and Madagascar. Africans have shown

enthusiasm for learning Mandarin and by the end

of

June 2005, roughly 8,000 students

in Africa were studying Chinese and 120 schools in 6 African countries included

Chinese language in their curricula. Further, Chinese government scholarship quotas

for African students to study

in

China will increase from the current 2,000 persons to

4,000 persons in the next three years. China is boosting cultural exchange to improve

ties between people in China and Africa, especially between the younger generations.

Although China

is

indeed becoming more attractive to Africans as a destination

to study

or

train abroad, Europe and America remain the top choices for Africans.

There are many reasons for this, but the greater geographical distance and higher

language barriers between China and Africa compared with the United States and

Europe are not insignificant. The number

of

available government scholarships and

the living stipends offered by China also remain far less generous than those offered

by Western countries. These factors, as well as the historical ties between the West

and Africa, have led most African elites to study in those countries with the result

that they tend to adopt Western culture and values and transmit the attendant multi

party democratic political system to their home countries. However, the different

politics, values and foreign policies that China offers Africa do not necessarily conflict

with this Western influence. China believes that diversity is a good thing, even in

terms ofculture and values, and different systems must be able to co-exist

if

mankind

is

to live in harmony

or

even survive.

The growth of China s soft power

in

Africa goes beyond culture and language.

There

is

a very practical yet profound reason for the appeal

of

China s model to

Africa: its historic achievements in economic reform and national construction and

its successful leap from a backward to a developing nation. Coupled with these realities

is the fact that all this has been accomplished at an unprecedented rapid pace, and

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Africa's attraction to China's development model as a potential roadmap for itself

is

evident (Obiorah, 2006).

The Chinese development model values the political and international relations

concepts of multilateral ism, consensus decision-making, peaceful co-existence and

respect for diverse cultures (Liu

&

Xue, 1998). All these comprise an identity, molded

from China's national characteristics, that

it

presents to the international order. Africa

will be an important frontier where China will test and perhaps cultivate that identity

along with its new-found soft power.

n

1950s, Chairman Mao Tzedong once said,

China will become a big power that is amiable. Indeed, with the emerging ofChina's

new diplomatic thinking and new strategy of peaceful development and building a

harmonious world , how to portray a strong and cordial China rather than a strong

and fearful China remains a task ahead.

Global Impact:

South-South

Cooperation African Renaissance and

Harmonious World

As a matter

of

fact, the strategic partnership between China and Africa, the biggest

developing countries and the home to the largest concentration of developing

countries, takes on global significance, not just meaningful to their bilateral relations.

Soutll-Soutll Cooperation

From the perspective ofSouth-South co-operation, this kind of strategic partnership

facilitates bringing about the widely shared prosperity among the developing countries,

while taking care of the interests ofChina and Africa. From the geopolitical point of

view, unity between China and Africa and their better orchestrated actions on the

world stage will help boost the influence of the developing world as a whole and in

turn, conducive to bringing about a more just political and economic order

of

the

world.

After the end of he Cold War in the early 1990s, the developing countries found

themselves more estranged and distanced from one another, which weakened their

global influence as a whole.

n

recent years, however, their shared interests

in

seeking

a fairer and more just economic order have brought them closer to each other, in the

context that protectionism is raising its head in developed countries and that hegemonic

mentality goes unchecked in the world's political arena.

With their ties strengthened, the developing countries have more say

in

world

affairs. n World Trade Organization negotiations on agriculture, for example, the

developed countries had to make concessions on the issue

of

farm produce subsidies,

thanks to the orchestrated actions on the part

of

the developing world, including

China and African countries.

n

addition, China and African nations adopt the same

or similar stances on important international issues such as opposing unilateral ism,

upholding the authority

of

the United Nations and increasing the representation

of

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48

H

W N PING

the developing world in the UN Security Council. Working together in international

affairs is

of

great significance to boosting the developing countries' influence on

world affairs.

As a matter

of

fact, inspired

by

China's involvement in Africa, India and other

Asian developing countries have been strengthening their presence in Africa.

In

April

2008, India held its first India-Africa Summit in New Delhi and Heads

of

State from

4

African countries, including South Africa, Algeria, Uganda, Ghana and Tanzania,

attended the inaugural gathering. They passed two documents of vital importance :

the New

Delhi

Declaration

and the

Framework

Agreement on

India-Africa

Cooperation. India promised to step up aid to Africa. Meanwhile, some African

countries have also come to a consensus to look east for development models.

Apart from drawing development experiences/lessons from China, such as establishing

economic special zones and putting political stability as a priority, etc. African

countries also eye India's development pattern. The way India handles the conflicts

between castes and clans and combines democracy organically with its developing

country

status-

very different from the patterns

in

Western nations- seems worthwhile

to identify with.

As to the meaning and role that the involvement

of

China and India

in

Africa

there are a number

of

well-known reports on that. For example, the report titled, The

Rise

of

China and India: What s n it for Africa published by the Organization of

Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in May 2006 and the World Bank

report titled Africa s Silk Road: China and India s New Economic Frontier published

the next year all agreed that rise ofChinese and Indian economies is having a positive

impact on Africa's development. They argued that the fast economic development of

China and India is boosting that

of

Africa much quicker than most people expected

and has helped Africa maintain unprecedented and close contacts with the world

economy through exports of resources and raw material. In July 2008, the World

Bank released a new report titled Building Bridges: hinas Growing Role as

Infrastructure Financier for Sub-Saharan Africa. It pointed out, apart from China,

the leading investor in African infrastructure, India and a few oil-rich Gulfcountries

are also providing funding for a number oflarge-scale infrastructure projects in Africa.

In

terms of construction scale and total investment, these newly-arrived financiers

have surpassed traditional investors such as members ofOECD showing a new trend

in continued growth

of

South-South cooperation (World Bank, 2008).

African Renaissance

Since 200 I, with the establishment

of

African Union (AU) and the coming out

of

he

blueprint of he New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), to make poverty

history and to realize African renaissance are becoming the aim for African leaders

and African people. For centuries, African countries have been bound with the

traditional rich North but still hold the poorest place in the world today. Now with

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the involvement of the newly emerging players, including China and India, in Africa

in

the recent decade, a lot

of

positive changes have been taken place

in

the continent.

Since the middle of the I 990s, we have witnessed with happiness the steady

recovery and growth

ofAfrican economic development. The annual growth rate has

been maintained at between 5 per cent and 6 per cent in the whole Continent and the

inflation rate has been kept under two digits since then. And this

is

partly the result of

the rapid price rise of raw materials and the increasing demand for raw materials

from China and other emerging markets in Asia. According to a Chinese expert

calculation

in

common use, the contribution

of

China-Africa trade to African economic

growth has reached around 20 per cent

in

recent years.

In

terms

of

investment, capital

flows are now outpacing aid for the first time in Africa's history. And China is

diversifying the monopoly

of

investors in Africa and contributes a lot to the

encouraging development trend. According to the Word Bank figure, the total value

ofChinese financial commitments to African infrastructure alone rose from less than

US 1 billion per year in 200 I -03 to around US$1.5 billion per year in 2004-05,

reached at l ~ s t US$7 b.illion in 2006 (which was the Chinese Year

of

Africa ) then

trailed back to US$4.5 billion in 2007 (World Bank Report, 2008, 13). So far, China

has fulfilled more than 800 social and economic projects in different African countries

and most

of

them are infrastructure projects that considerably benefit local

communities in African countries.

In addition, the involvement ofChina in Africa generated more concern from the

rest of the world to Africa objectively and offered Africa an alternative for choosing

a development partner as well as helped Africa to form a united front and speak with

one voice. Africa has been drawing the world's attention in the past decade as the

situation on the continent gradually improved and its resources and market potential

showed growing significance. Take a closer look and one will see that the Africa

fever was not the result

of

its own rising status alone but

of

increased cooperation

with emerging Asian economies, particularly with China, and its look-east policy

as well. Right after the China-Africa Summit in November 2006, South Korea

immediately invited African Heads ofState to Seoul and held the first Korea-Africa

Summit (6 African Heads of State and over 20 ministers participated). Then, in

December 2007, the second EU-Africa Summit held

in

Lisbon after seven years

of

the first one in Egypt in 2000. That was followed by the first India-Africa Summit

and the fourth Japan-Africa Summit as well as the annual 08 meeting. On every

occasion, the host countries announced a package

of

economic assistance and

cooperative programs with Africa. All these efforts have improved the external

environment and offered good opportunities for African development.

In response, among African decision-makers and people, there is heated debate

about how to grasp the historic opportunity and set their own African Agenda . In a

meeting document titled Meeting

of

he Task Force on Africa's Strategic Partnership

with Emerging Powers: China, India and Brazil, compiled by the African Union

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50 I H W N

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Commission in Addis Ababa in September 2006, it stated clearly, Africa needs

to

be

aware

of

he context

in

which the Strategic Partnership with China is being developed.

It is that of poverty and doubt as to whether Africa will claim the 21 Century . And

also saying, The Strategic partnership should address what Africa can do with China

as a partner, rather than what China can do for the Continent , Africa must face the

emerging powers as a united Continent and strengthen its integration agenda ( African

Union Commission, 2006). This reveals a strong sense of African ownership, self

rejuvenation and collective self-reliance that

is

exactly what African renaissance needs

at the current critical time. Also as South African President Thabo Mbeki said, Africa

must adopt a dynamic approach to our strategic partnership with China, so that we all

win

in

Africa, with Africa, and similarly win

in

China, with China. (Mbeki, 2006).

Only mutual respect, mutual beneficial and win-win China-Africa relations can be

sustainable, durable and serving an engine for African renaissance.

Indeed, with the stepping down of President Thabo Mbeki, both African

renaissance and NEPAD will face more challenges for moving forward. However,

it is an exaggeration to say that both African renaissance and NEPAD are dead

simply because one of the key drivers is gone. During the past years, the institute

building of the AU including the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) has

been established to some extent, and most importantly, public awareness about

African renaissance and African Unity has been generated. Once the fire of hope

has been lighted, it is not easy to put it off.

Harmo ious World

At the opening ceremony

of

China-Africa Summit in Beijing in November 2006,

Chinese President Hu Jintao said, Though vast oceans keep China and Africa far

apart, the friendship between our peoples has a long history and, having been tested

by times,

is

strong and vigorous.

n

the long course ofhistory, the Chinese and African

peoples, with an unyielding and tenacious spirit, created splendid and distinctive

ancient civilizations. n the modern era, our peoples launched unremitting and heroic

struggle against subjugation, and have written a glorious chapter

in

the course

of

pursuing freedom and liberation, upholding human dignity, and striving for economic

development and national rejuvenation. The progress and development ofChina and

Africa are a major contribution to the advancement

of

human civilization.

Indeed, from the perspective of mankind's progress and against the background

of

he widening gap between North and South and the unabated rise

of

global terrorism,

helping African countries help themselves is vital. The common prosperity of the

developing countries and their deep involvement in economic globalization are of

far-reaching significance to the world's lasting peace and hannonious development.

There are 53 countries and nearly 900 million people

in

Africa, and China has 1.3

billion people, all together they account for one-third of world population. China

Africa cooperation and common development can not only make contribution to

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Chzna s

African

Policy Drzving Forces, Features and Global

impact

I 51

meet

the Millennium Development Goals

MDGs)

in Africa,

more

importantly, also

help the most poor people

in

the world

to

realize their most basic

human

rights-the

right for survival and the right for development,

and

let them benefit from the global

social progress

and

economic development.

f course, at the

moment,

a harmonious world sounds more like a goal rather

than a reality and building

such an ideal

harmonious world seems a long process.

Actually,

how long this process will take also depends on both inside and outside

factors in Africa and

China. For

example, the recent financial crisis triggered in the

Wall Street

in the

US

will

definitely bring some negative influences for China-Africa

economic relations.

On

the one hand, even though

the impact

of

this financial shock

on

China

so

far is less serious than that

on Europe

simply because China s financial

system

has

not yet opened

to

the world system and its economy as a whole is also less

open than other developed economies however, it

did

hit the share market

and

export

industries

such

as toy producers in China (there are many factories already closing

down). On the

other hand, given China s

huge

foreign exchange reserves,

the

number

one

in

the world at the

moment,

the Chinese government is capable to pump money

into the banking system and

hence

maintains the predicted economic growth rate at

home

as

well as

keep

all

the promises

made

in

the

China-Africa Summit

in

late

2006.

I am also quite optimistic about the next FOCAC meeting that will take place in

Cairo, Egypt in late 2009. New measures will surely be put forward to further

strengthen

the

Sino-African ties as it

did

before.

After

all, risks

and

challenges always

go hand in hand

with

opportunities, the financial crisis itself also shows that the

global financial

system

build after the World War II now

needs

rebuilding in a holistic

way (tinkering is

not

enough at

all). The

role and say of the emerging economies

including India and China should be improved.

And

it

is

also a time surely for Africa

to

use its

links with

China

and India

to

their

mutual

advantage.

Notes

1

The Five principles are as follows: I. China supports the African and Arab peoples

in

their

struggle to oppose imperialism and old and neo-colonialism and to win

and

safeguard national

independence: 2. t supports African

and

Arab states pursuing a policy of peace. neutrality

and nonalignment:

3.

It supports

African and Arab

people

who wish to

realize their unification

and unity

in

the

way

which

they

chose

by

themselves;

4. t

supports African and Arab states

resolve their disputes through peaceful consultation;

5.

It

advocates that the sovereignty

of

African and Arab states should be respected by all countries. It strongly against the aggression

and

interfere

li·om

any aspects.

2

The Eight Principles are: I. Chinese government has persistently been providing assistance

to

foreign countries according to the principle

of

equality and mutual benefit. never regard the

assistance as the grant by one-sided. Chinese government maintains that assistance should be

mutual: 2. While providing foreign aid, Chinese government strictly respects the sovereignty

of

recipient countries.

no

strings attached and

no

privilege required:

3. In

order

to

relief the

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52 HE WEN PING

burden of recipient countries. Chinese government provides economic aids in the way of

interest-free or l o w - i n t e r e ~ t loan. the time limit of repayment could be delayed when it is

needed: 4. The purpose

of

Chinese government providing foreign aid

is

not to make recipient

countries being dependent bn China. but to help recipient countries gradually develop on the

track of self-reliance and economic development independently.

3

A 33% increase in the fund will allow China to hold

300

training courses in three years for

some I 0, 000 African professionals in various fields as well as raise the number ofscholarships

that China offers for African exchange students.

'Apart

from the original travel destinations of Egypt, South Africa and Morocco. Clrina has

decided to grant a further eight African countries the Approved Destination Status: Mauritius,

Ethiopia. Tunisia. Zimbabwe. Kenya. Zambia. Tanzania and Seychelles.

~ I n c l u d i n g

the

2004 China-Africa

l outh

Carnival' 'Meet

in

Beijing'-

an international art

festival focusing on African arts. and the I oyage o Chinese Culture to Africa·

''The invitation was made during a speech delivered to all African young people at Pretoria

University in South Africa. Hu Jintao: China Invites 500 African Youths to Visit China in

Three Years, Chinanews.com. February 7, 2007. See: http://news.sohu.com/20070207/

n2481 08503.shtml.

eferences

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Oil'.

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African

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Driving Forces, Features

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Daily

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7

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Quoted from a speech entitled "China's Road

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Peaceful Development and the Revival

of

the

Chinese Civilization" delivered by Zheng Bijian, director general of the Forum on

China's Reform and Opening at the forum

of Study

of China

in

the Second World"

held on September 2 I. 2006.

The World Bank Report 2008 Building Bridges: Chinas Growing Role as Infrastructure

Financier for Sub-Saharan Africa, July.

Jia, Qingling. 2007 President ofChinese Political Consultative Conference (CPCC), the speech

given

in

the opening ceremony of "China-Kenya Economic and Trade cooperation

Forum" in Nairobi, Kenya in April 24. 2007 during his visit in Kenya. See (Beijing)

Peoples Daily,

Overseas Edition, April 26, 2007.

The World Bank Report, Building Bridges: Chinas Growing Role as Infrastructure Financier

for

Sub-Saharan Africa, July 2008.

The African Union Commission 2006 Meeting

of

the Task Force on Africa's Strategic

Partnership with Emerging Powers: China, India and Brazil, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,

September.

Mbeki, Thabo 2006 At the Heavenly Gate in Beijing hope is born http://za.china-embassy.orw

enwzt/thirdeye/t282953.htm 2006/11/16.

President Hu Jintao's speech at the opening ceremony of China-Africa Summit in Beijing in

November 5 2006.

D o w n l o a d

e d b y [ 4 6 . 7

0 . 1

3 . 5

] a t 1 3 : 5 2 1 4 M a r c h 2 0 1 4

china's african policy driving forces, features and global impact by he wen ping

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