UNDERSTANDING AFRICA-CHINA RELATIONS
Dr Mandira Bagwandeen, Department of Political Science, Stellenbosch University
Wednesday 29–Friday 31 January 3.00 pm COURSE FEES R330; Staff and students R165
This course explores the complexities of Africa-China relations, one of the most significant developments in global affairs of the twenty-first century. First, the development and advancement of political ties will be discussed – from China’s Cold War support for African liberation movements to Africa’s political support for China in international organisations. Second, the economic dimension of Africa-China ties, including trade, investment and infrastructure development projects, will be analysed. And lastly, China’s growing security footprint on the African continent will be examined. By the end of the course, participants should be able to contextualise the historical foundations of the relationship and the primary motivations for ties between the two regions, critically discuss the pros and cons of China’s engagement in Africa and hypothesise about the future trajectory of Africa-China relations in the context of a changing international order. This course will especially appeal to those interested in international relations, global affairs, global political economy, China’s foreign policy, China in the Global South, South-South cooperation and African development.
Lecture titles
- The political dimension of the Africa-China relationship
- Understanding Africa-China economic ties
- China’s security footprint in Africa
Recommended reading
Anam, P. and Ryder, H. 2024. Reimagining FOCAC Going Forwards: An African Assessment of Needs, Demands and Opportunities for FOCAC 2021 and Beyond. Development Reimagined. 11 April.
Bagwandeen, M. 2024. Developing a common African approach to China in a divided world. Institute for Security Studies. Africa Report 44.
Benabdallah, L. 2016. China’s Peace and Security Strategies in Africa: Building Capacity is Building Peace?
African Studies Quarterly. 16(3–4). pp. 17–34.
Carmody, P. 2021. Going Viral? The Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Sino-African Relations. African Studies Quarterly. 20(3). pp. 1–23.
Chiyemura, F., Gambino, E. and Zajontz, T. 2022. Infrastructure and the Politics of African State Agency: Shaping the Belt and Road Initiative in East Africa. Chinese Political Science Review. 8(1). pp. 105–131.
TO BOOK: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/performance.aspx?itemid=1554784386