China’s security engagement in Africa has grown to encompass aspects relating to police and law enforcement cooperation, conflict mediation, and professional military education.
As the digital infrastructure backed by China becomes increasingly prevalent in the African continent, it is also important for the latter to have enough oversight to ensure that these tools are not misused. Moreover, it would be more beneficial for Africa to allow other players to thrive in the region.
China may or may not succeed in transforming Africa into a substitute market. If it does, the bilateral trade relationship is likely to become more unbalanced and tilted in its own favour leading to greater exploitation of Africa.
FOCAC 2012 went well beyond numbers and initiated the process of addressing serious concerns of a mature relationship by moving away from the narrow constraints of economic transactions.
The strum and drang that has accompanied China's arrival as a major economic and diplomatic actor in Africa has divided the continent into advocates, alarmists and analysts. 1 For the advocates, the integration of China into the African architecture is one to be promoted as an alternative to the tired policy pronouncements of an increasingly enervated West, not least because of the practical rationale that Beijing has the financial means and political will to invest in Africa's future.
Africa and Asia have a long history of politico- economic relations and the scale and pace of trade and investment flows has been growing in recent times. African countries are no silent spectators to the economic rise of China and India; they are party to the growth story. In this context, The Rise of China & India in Africa: Challenges, Opportunities and Critical Interventions offers a timely analysis of China and India’s engagement in Africa.
Africa and Asia have a long history of politico- economic relations and the scale and pace of trade and investment flows has been growing in recent times. African countries are no silent spectators to the economic rise of China and India; they are party to the growth story. In this context, The Rise of China & India in Africa: Challenges, Opportunities and Critical Interventions offers a timely analysis of China and India’s engagement in Africa.
South African President Jacob Zuma has affirmed the mutually beneficial economic relationship between China and Africa, including with his country, notwithstanding the negative sides to this relationship. It is clear that China’s role in Africa is changing the terms of engagement with the region. That is perhaps the biggest challenge for India and the rest of the world in their future Africa strategy.
