On 3 December 2015, SAIIA co-hosted an event with the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Growth Research Programme (DEGRP) titled ‘China-Africa: a maturing relationship? : Growth, change and resilience’. This event took place on the side-lines of the sixth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Johannesburg on 4-5 December, where the heads of state met to discuss co-operation between the two sides. Most notable was the reported $60 billion development package pledged by China’s President Xi Jinping to the continent.
Following the side-event, a set of DEGRP policy essays were published in English (in May) and subsequently, Mandarin (in August). These inputs were based on the presentations and discussions at the co-hosted conference. The main areas discussed include:
- Jumpstarting African industrialisation and economic transformation
- The China-Africa relationship in the context of China’s changing role in the global economy
- How African peace, security and governance are shaping China’s engagement on the continent
- The role of natural resources and biodiversity in the China-Africa relationship
Indeed these topics are of particular importance, as China-Africa relations continue to expand amid dynamic domestic, regional and global changes; and include new areas of engagement – apart from established trade and diplomatic ties.
It is the exploration of such key contemporary issues and beyond that a post-FOCAC future, where African interests are at the forefront, could be imagined.
The contributors to the report include: Carlos Oya (School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London); Dan Large (SAIIA/ Central European University); Deborah Brautigam (Johns Hopkins University); Giles Mohan (Open University); Hannah Ryder (United Nations Development Programme ); Helen Hai (UNIDO Goodwill Ambassador, Made in Africa initiative); Justin Yifu Lin (Peking University); Lina Song (Nottingham University); Roger Calow (ODI); Ross Harvey (SAIIA); Stephen Gelb (Overseas Development Institute ); Terry McKinley (School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London); Xiaoxue Weng (International Institute for Environment and Development) and Yu-Shan Wu (SAIIA)– and edited by Linda Calabrese (Overseas Development Institute ).
For more on the event:
China-Africa: a maturing relationship? Growth, change and resilience
More on FOCAC:
FOCAC: Background and 2015 Focus Priorities
Ahead of FOCAC and toward Agenda 2063: A timely window for African think tanks to take the lead
Media briefing: FOCAC VI, more of the same or signs of change?
Adept negotiations needed by Africa at FOCAC
Related articles:
Factsheet: China-Africa Relations
From first-mover advantage to coming from behind: A new phase of the Japan-Africa partnership
South Africa and China: The Making of a Partnership
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