1st Edition
China-Africa Relations in an Era of Great Transformations
This collection juxtaposes a variety of approaches about China and Africa, and their interrelations seeking to go beyond early, simplistic formulations. Perspectives informed by Polanyi advance nuanced analysis of varieties of capitalisms and double-movements. It seeks to put contemporary China-Africa relations in critical, comparative context and in doing so, it will go beyond descriptions of inter-regional trade and investment, large- and small-scale sectors, to ask whether structural change is underway. Already it is apparent that the growing presence of China in Africa presents the latter with some novel options but whether these will generate a new embeddedness remains problematic. Highlighting the ’varieties of capitalisms’ in the new century, given the undeniable difficulties of extreme neo-liberalism in the US and UK by contrast, to the apparent ebullience of the emerging economies in the global South, this book examines such implications for international relations, international political economy, development studies and policies.
Biography
Li Xing is Director, Research Center on Development and International Relations, Department of Culture and Global Studies, Aalborg University, Denmark. Abdulkadir Osman Farah is currently an Assistant Professor, Research Center on Development and International Relations, Department of Culture and Global Studies, Aalborg University, Denmark.
’As the world moves towards greater multipolarity, locating China-Africa within the broader structural picture is ever more needed. Deploying an analysis inspired by Karl Polanyi, the book investigates Sino-African ties within the context of evolving sets of global relations and asks whether we are indeed witnessing a "double movement" unfold, where varieties of capitalisms recover some of the lost ground ceded to hyper-liberalism. The implications for Africa in this milieu are skillfully investigated.’ Ian Taylor, University of St. Andrews, UK ’This new book makes three contributions: the nexus between the rise of China and the development of African countries; the new era of programs of social inclusion and the promotion of equality between nations; and a new perception of security through international inclusion. Through the case of Africa, Li Xing explains China’s rise and the transformation of the international system, from Central Asia to Latin America. China’s role in the world, the recent focus of global debates, generates ideas of menace, challenge or opportunity. While competing with China in Africa, Brazil is China’s most important partner in Latin America. As BRICS, Brazil shares with China similar views in bilateral and international relations: opportunities for self-government, for improving trade and investment, and for creating a multipolar world order.’ Amado Luiz Cervo, University of Brasilia, Brazil '... a worthwhile read for curious scholars, especially those interested in Chinese foreign policy or the BRICS. ... on the strength of its more stellar chapters alone it is worth reading, even for specialists. For those interested in Chinese foreign policy more broadly, China-Africa Relations is also worth reading provided the audience understands that, in the world of diplomacy and beyond, government officials are not always honest.' Asian Journal of Social Science
