Is China Recolonizing Africa? Some Views from Tanzania. (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kinyondo, Abel
• Is Part Of: World affairs. Volume 182:Number 2(2019)
• Page Start: 128
• Page End: 164
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Sino-Africa -- China -- Recolonizing Africa -- FDI Flow -- Chinese Hegemony -- Hegemonic Cooperation -- Aid -- Loans -- International Cooperation -- Trade Balance -- Curbing Corruption in Africa -- Debt Trap Diplomacy -- China Africa Research Initiative -- CARI; Relaciones Chino-Africanas -- Ayuda -- Préstamos -- Cooperación Internacional -- Balanza Comercial -- China -- África -- Tanzania -- Política Comercial -- Hegemonía China -- Negociación Internacional -- Trampa de la Deuda; 中非关系 -- 关系 -- 援助 -- 贷款 -- 国际合作 -- 贸易平衡 -- 中国 -- 非洲 -- 坦桑尼亚 -- 贸易政策 -- 中国霸权 -- 国际谈判 -- 债务陷阱; International relations -- Periodicals; Peace -- Periodicals; Arbitration (International law) -- Periodicals; United States -- Foreign relations -- Periodicals; Arbitration (International law); International relations; Peace; United states; Foreign relations; Internationale politiek; Periodicals; 327.05
• DOI: 10.1177/0043820019839331
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-8200

Abstract

This study assesses Sino-African cooperation with a view to understanding its nature and subsequently identifying ways to improve it. Using a mixed method that combined in-depth interviews, Afrobarometer, and Johns Hopkins' China Africa Research Initiative (CARI) data, I find that, despite a few gains, China takes the lion's share of benefits from the cooperation. Indeed, the balance of trade is skewed toward China, and there is very little Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) flowing to Africa. Moreover, 'debt trap diplomacy' is crippling African economies, raising alarm over whether China intends to recolonize the continent. Also, while Chinese aid is negligible, the amount of contracts revenues and diplomatic support it gets from the continent makes one think Africa deserves more from the cooperation. Nevertheless, China, just like any other country, acts in its nation's interest. Therefore, it is incumbent upon African countries to ensure that they demand more from the cooperation. In the end, to address China's hegemony over Sino-African cooperation, Africa should prioritize the development of local content through technological and skill transfers, curb corruption, and build a critical mass of negotiators.