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Brave new world: debt, industrialization and security in China–Africa relations

Author

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  • Alden, Christopher
  • Jiang, Lu

Abstract

China's ties with Africa are evolving into a multi-faceted relationship of increasing complexity. After nearly two decades of debt-financed infrastructure development, Beijing's exposure to African debt is reaching disquieting proportions with an estimated US$132 billion owed to China in 2016. Managing this new role as Africa's creditor poses uncomfortable questions for creditor and debtor alike. Concurrently, the quiet surge of Chinese investment in manufacturing in Africa is transforming local economies in ways that are beginning to alter the continent's position within the global economy. Finally, the proliferation of Chinese businesses and migrants across Africa is inspiring greater Chinese involvement in UN peacekeeping and private security initiatives.This article examines how these structural changes are challenging core practices and principles which guided China–Africa relations in its formative decades. For instance, under the banner of an alternative to western policies China promoted the absence of conditionalities attached to its concessional loans and grants. Equally, promotion of industrialization of African economies marks a key shift away from China's resource-centric engagement with the continent. And, in the case of security, Beijing's commitment to avoid intervention in domestic affairs is being set aside with implications for its principles, and ultimately status, in Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Alden, Christopher & Jiang, Lu, 2019. "Brave new world: debt, industrialization and security in China–Africa relations," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 101016, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
  • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:101016
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/101016/
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. David Beers & Elliot Jones & John Walsh, 2020. "BoC–BoE Sovereign Default Database: Methodology, Assumptions and Sources," Technical Reports 117, Bank of Canada.
    2. Alice Nicole Sindzingre, 2021. "Economic Relationships Between Sub-Saharan Africa and China: An Alternative Theoretical and Policy Paradigm?," Post-Print halshs-03625159, HAL.
    3. David Beers & Obiageri Ndukwe & Karim McDaniels & Alex Charron, 2023. "BoC–BoE Sovereign Default Database: Appendix and References," Technical Reports 125, Bank of Canada.
    4. Chiyemura, Frangton & Gambino, Elisa & Zajontz, Tim, 2023. "Infrastructure and the politics of African state agency: shaping the Belt and Road Initiative in East Africa," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 114271, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    conflict; security; defence; political economy and economics; Sub-Saharan Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics

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