Are Sino-Africa Relations Mutually Beneficial for Africa? The Case of South Africa and Zambia
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Keywords
Africa, South Africa, Zambia, China, Diplomacy, Economic Cooperation
Abstract
Throughout the years, China has managed to acquire enormous political and economic growth. Through these efforts China gained global recognition from then world superpowers (Britain, France, and United States of America), and was introduced to the United Nations Security Council as a permanent member in 1971. In order to maintain this position in the international arena, China focused on strengthening her rapidly developing economy by entering the African diaspora where she would acquire much needed raw minerals and varying sources of energy to sustain and further bolster her developing but competitive economy. These relations resulted in strengthened political and economic relations between China and African countries. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether Sino-Africa relations are mutually beneficial, and not lopsided in favor of Chinese interests. To determine this, the paper will be assigned with four task; (1) analyzing diplomatic and economic interactions between China and African nations (vice versa); (2) addressing the common perceptions and misconceptions associated with China’s activities in Africa; (3) to determine whether indeed Sino-Africa relationships are based on mutual gains or if they are lopsided and in favor of China’s interests; (4) to determine whether or not these relations and interactions have a promising future.
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