China and Africa: A Century of Engagement

About this book

The Peoples Republic of China once limited its involvement in African affairs to building an occasional railroad or port supporting African liberation movements and loudly proclaiming socialist solidarity with the downtrodden of the continent. Now Chinese diplomats and Chinese companies both state-owned and private along with an influx of Chinese workers have spread throughout Africa. This shift is one of the most important geopolitical phenomena of our time. China and Africa: A Century of Engagement presents a comprehensive view of the relationship between this powerful Asian nation and the countries of Africa. This book the first of its kind to be published since the 1970s examines all facets of Chinas relationship with each of the fifty-four African nations. It reviews the history of Chinas relations with the continent looking back past the establishment of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949. It looks at a broad range of areas that define this relationshippolitics trade investment foreign aid military security and cultureproviding a significant historical backdrop for each. David H. Shinn and Joshua Eisenmans study combines careful observation meticulous data analysis and detailed understanding gained through diplomatic experience and extensive travel in China and Africa. China and Africa demonstrates that while Chinas connection to Africa is different from that of Western nations it is no less complex. Africans and Chinese are still developing their perceptions of each other and these changing views have both positive and negative dimensions.