Abstract
Ethiopia has very close political, military, and economic relations with China, with some arguing Addis Ababa has become a near client state of China’s as a result of its economic needs, China’s trade, foreign direct investment, loan, and infrastructure offerings, and the allure of the Maritime Silk Road Initiative (MSRI). This chapter offers a discussion of the MSRI in Ethiopia, which demonstrates the MSRI has been progressing relatively smoothly, though it faces genuine challenges. It also shows the perspective that Ethiopia is a client state is overly simplistic. Such a view inter alia ignores Ethiopia’s own political and economic reasons for embracing China and the MSRI and focuses excessively on the economic drivers of Ethiopian policy. Of note, Ethiopia’s participation in the MSRI and its broad and depth economic ties with China also have empowered it vis-à-vis other countries and institutions, not exactly the typical feature of a client state.
The authors express their appreciation to Xu Jing for her work in conforming this chapter to Palgrave style requirements.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abegunrin, Olayiwola, and Charity Manyeruke. China’s Power in Africa. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, 2020.
Abiye, Yonas. “Corporation to Takeover AALRT from Chinese Operators.” The Reporter, January 13, 2018. https://www.thereporterethiopia.com/article/corporation-takeover-aalrt-chinese-operators.
Abiye, Yonas. “Lack of Finance Derails Second Railway Project.” The Reporter, April 27, 2019. https://www.thereporterethiopia.com/article/lack-finance-derails-second-railway-project.
Addis, Amsalu K., and Zhu Zuping. “Assessment of the Impact of Chinese and Indian Economic Activities in Africa: A Particular Focus on Ethiopia’s Economy.” China Report 55, no. 3 (2019): 241–264.
Adem, Seifudein. “China in Ethiopia: Diplomacy and Economics of Sino-Optimism.” African Studies Review 55, no. 1 (2012): 143–160.
Adula, Negera Gudeta. “Ethiopian Foreign Policy Under Military and EPRDF Regimes: Changes and Continuities.” Journal of Political Science and International Relations 2, no. 1 (2019): 25–31.
AEI-Heritage CGIT. https://www.aei.org/china-global-investment-tracker.
“Africa’s Changing Infrastructure Landscape: Africa Construction Trends Report 2016.” Deloitte, November, 2016. https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/za/Documents/manufacturing/DeloitteAfrica_Construction_Trends_2016_Nov2016.pdf.
Aglionby, John, and Emily Feng. “China Scales Back Investment in Ethiopia.” Financial Times, June 3, 2018.
Bacha, Alemayehu. “Ethiopia to Build New Hydropower Plant on Geba River.” 2Merktao.com, September 10, 2014. https://www.2merkato.com/news/alerts/3256-ethiopia-to-build-new-hydropower-plant-on-geba-river.
Barber, Lionel, and David Pilling. “My Model Is Capitalism’: Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Plans Telecoms Privatization.” Financial Times, February 24, 2019.
“Belt and Road Initiative New Driving Force for Sino-Ethiopian Relations: Chinese Ambassador.” Xinhuanet, April 19, 2019. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-04/19/c_137988708.htm.
Berhane, Daniel. “Ethiopia: Mekelle-Woldya Railway Project at a Standstill.” Horn Affairs, May 13, 2017. https://hornaffairs.com/2017/05/13/ethiopia-mekelle-woldya-railway-project-standstill.
Blanchard, Jean-Marc F. “Probing China’s 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative (MSRI): An Examination of MSRI Narratives.” Geopolitics 22, no. 2 (2017): 246–268.
Blanchard, Jean-Marc F. “China’s Maritime Silk Road Initiative (MSRI) and Southeast Asia: A Chinese ‘Pond’ Not ‘Lake’ in the Works.” Journal of Contemporary China 27, no. 111 (2018): 329–343.
Blanchard, Jean-Marc F. “Problematic Prognostications about China’s Maritime Silk Road Initiative (MSRI): Lessons from Africa and the Middle East.” Journal of Contemporary China 29, no. 122 (2020): 159–174.
Blanchard, Jean-Marc F., and Colin Flint. “The Geopolitics of China’s Maritime Silk Road Initiative.” Geopolitics 22, no. 2 (2017): 223–245.
Burke, Jason. “‘These Changes Are Unprecedented’: How Abiy Is Upending Ethiopian Politics.” The Guardian, July 8, 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/08/abiy-ahmed-upending-ethiopian-politics.
Cabestan, Jean-Pierre. “China and Ethiopia: Authoritarian Affinities and Economic Cooperation.” China Perspectives, no. 4 (2012): 53–62.
Chakrabarty, Malacha. “Ethiopia-China Economic Relations: A Classic Win-Win Situation?” World Review of Political Economy 7, no. 2 (2016): 226–248.
Chen, Yunnan. “Ethiopia and Kenya Are Struggling to Manage Debt for Their Chinese-Built Railways.” Quartz Africa, June 4, 2019. https://qz.com/africa/1634659/ethiopia-kenya-struggle-with-chinese-debt-over-sgr-railways.
China-Africa Research Initiative (CARI), SAIS, John Hopkins University. http://www.sais-cari.org.
“China Agrees to Invest $1.8bn in Ethiopia’s Power Grid.” Global Construction Review, April 29, 2019. http://www.globalconstructionreview.com/news/china-agrees-invest-18bn-ethiopias-power-grid.
“China Cancels Ethiopia’s Interest-free Loans, PM in Beijing for Forum.” Africa News, April 25, 2019. https://www.africanews.com/2019/04/25/china-forgives-ethiopia-s-interest-free-loans-pm-in-beijing-for-forum.
“China Lends Ethiopia S$1.2b for Mega-Dam Power Lines.” The Straits Times, April 27, 2013. https://www.straitstimes.com/business/china-lends-ethiopia-s12b-for-mega-dam-power-lines.
“China, Ethiopia Agree to Augment Military Cooperation.” Global Times, November 11, 2016. http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1019721.shtml.
“China, Ethiopia Agree to Deepen Cooperation.” Xinhuanet, June 22, 2017. http://www.xinhuanet.com//english/2017–06/22/c_136386698.htm.
“Chinese Firms Constructing 5 Industrial Zones in Ethiopia.” Xinhuanet, June 23, 2017. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-06/23/c_136389622.htm.
Dahir, Abdi Latif. “Photos: How Africa’s Youngest Leader Transformed Troubled Ethiopia in Just 100 Days.” Quartz Africa, July 24, 2018. https://qz.com/africa/1334958/how-abiy-ahmed-transformed-ethiopia-in-100-days.
Donahue, Bill. “China Is Turning Ethiopia into a Giant Fast-Fashion Factory.” Bloomberg, March 2, 2018. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-03-02/china-is-turning-ethiopia-into-a-giant-fast-fashion-factory.
Endaylalu, Gashaw Ayferam. “China in Africa: A Partner or Patron, Ethiopia in Focus.” International Relations and Diplomacy 6, no. 6 (2018): 325–333.
“Ethiopia Agrees with Chinese Firms to Accelerate GERD Construction.” Daily News Egypt, March 3, 2019. https://wwww.dailynewssegypt.com/2019/03/03/ethiopia-agrees-with-chinese-firms-to-accelerate-gerd-construction.
“Ethiopia Dam Official Blames Construction Delays on Conglomerate METEC.” Reuters, October 1, 2019. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ethiopia-dam/ethiopia-dam-official-blames-construction-delays-on-conglomerate-metec-idUSKBN1WG3CB.
“Ethiopia Not Ready for Foreign Investment in Telecoms, Banking: President.” Reuters, April 24, 2018. https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKBN1HV1K1-OZATP.
“Ethiopia PM Says China Will Restructure Railway Loan.” Reuters, September 6, 2018. https://af.reuters.com/article/eritreaNews/idAFL5N1V628E.
“Ethiopia Takes Inspiration from China’s Success for Own Development.” Xinhuanet, May 9, 2018. www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-05/09/c_137164847.htm.
“Feature: Chinese Companies Powering Ethiopia’s Ambition to Become Africa’s Manufacturing Hub.” Xinhuanet, June 19, 2017. http://www.xinhuanet.com//english/2017-06/19/c_136375524.htm.
Fei, Ding. “Work, Employment, and Training Through Africa-China Cooperation Zones.” China-Africa Research Initiative, no. 27 (2018): 1–4.
Gardner, Tom. “Expansion of Ethiopia’s First Industrial Park Reopens Old Wounds.” Reuters, February 1, 2018. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ethiopia-landrights-industrial/expansion-of-ethiopias-first-industrial-park-reopens-old-wounds-idUSKBN1FL59R.
Geda, Alemayehu, and Atnafu G. Meskel. “Impact of China-Africa Investment Relations: Case Study of Ethiopia.” Africa Portal, January 12, 2009. https://media.africaportal.org/documents/Ethiopia-China_Eth_Invest_Fina.pdf, 13.
Horesh, Niv. “Ethiopia’s Political Ripple a Big Test for Infrastructure-led Chinese Approach.” The Conversation, January 5, 2017. https://theconversation.com/ethiopias-political-ripple-a-big-test-for-infrastructure-led-chinese-approach-70659.
International Monetary Fund (IMF). “Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS).” https://data.imf.org.
International Rivers. “Hydropower in Africa: Africa Dams Briefing.” September, 2015. https://www.internationalrivers.org/sites/default/files/attached-files/africa_dams_briefing_.pdf.
“Interview: China’s BRI Important Impetus to Boost Ethiopian Airlines’ Global Presence–CEO.” China.org.cn, April 18, 2019. http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2019-04/18/content_74694815.htm.
“Interview: Energy A Priority Area in China-Ethiopia Cooperation: Chinese Ambassador.” Xinhuanet, May 18, 2018. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-05/18/c_137189350.htm.
Kaberuka, Donald. “Meles Zenawi and the Economic Transformation in Africa.” Speech at the Opening of “The Meles Zenawi Foundation,” in Ethiopia on January 26, 2015. https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Generic-Documents/Speech_%E2%80%93_AfDB_President_Donald_Kaberuka_-_Inaugural_lecture_at_the_launching_of_the_Meles_Zenawi_Foundation_-_Addis_Ababa__Ethiopia_%E2%80%93_January_29__2015.pdf.
Liben, Habtamu. “Spotlight: Chinese Engagement in Ethiopia’s Economic Boom in a Nutshell.” Xinhuanet, May 11, 2018. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-05/11/c_137170412.htm.
Lie, Jon Harald Sande, and Berouk Mesfin. Ethiopia: A Political Economy Analysis. Oslo: Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, 2018.
“Looking East.” The Economist, October 21, 2010. https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2010/10/21/looking-east.
Maini, Tridivesh Singh, and Mahitha Lingala. “BRI and the China-Ethiopia Relationship.” The Geopolitics, December 10, 2019. https://thegeopolitics.com/bri-and-the-deepening-china-ethiopia-ties.
Mariam, Al. “Chinese Neocolonialism in Africa: The Dragon Easting the African Lion and Cheetah? (Part I).” Ethiopia Zare, September 4, 2017. https://ethiopiazare.com/opinion/viewpoint/5542-chinese-neocolonialism-in-africa-the-dragon-eating-the-african-lion-and-cheetah-part-i.
Marsh, Jenni. “Employed by China.” CNN, August, 2018. https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2018/08/world/china-africa-ethiopia-manufacturing-jobs-intl.
Marsh, Jenni. “Skyscrapers, Trains, and Roads: How Addis Ababa Came to Look Like A Chinese City.” CNN, September 3, 2018. https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/addis-ababa-china-construction-style/index.html.
Nantulya, Paul. “Implications for Africa from China’s One Belt One Road Strategy.” Africa Center for Strategic Studies Spotlight, March 22, 2019. https://africacenter.org/spotlight/implications-for-africa-china-one-belt-one-road-strategy.
“Neither A Sprint Nor A Marathon.” The Economist, May 30, 2015. http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21652307-africas-most-impressive-economic-managers-suffer-excessive-caution-neither.
“News Analysis: Chinese-Built Industrial Parks Drive Ethiopia’s Ambition in Manufacturing Sector, Job Creation.” Xinhuanet, August 30, 2019. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-08/30/c_138349024.htm.
Ng, Eric. “Botched Chinese Railway Project in Africa Is a Warning to Belt and Road Investors.” South China Morning Post, October 29, 2018. https://www.scmp.com/print/business/banking-finance/article/2170549/botched-chinese-railway-project-africa-warning-belt-and.
Nicolas, Francoise. “Chinese Investors in Ethiopia: The Perfect Match?” Ifri, March 1, 2017. https://media.africaportal.org/documents/Nicolas_Chinese_Investors_Ethiopia_2017_.pdf.
Nyabiage, Jevansa. “Lender’s Remorse? China Finds Africa Projects Require a Growing Wave of Debt Forgiveness.” South China Morning Post, August 11, 2019. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3022301/lenders-remorse-china-finds-africa-projects-require-growing.
“Officials Hail BRI’s Role in Promoting Global Growth.” Xinhuanet, July 3, 2019. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-07/03/c_138196023.htm.
People’s Republic of China, Embassy of the PRC in the Republic of Ethiopia. “Political and Economic Exchanges.” http://et.china-embassy.org/eng/zagx/zzjmjw.
People’s Republic of China, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Premier Wen Jiabao Holds Talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.” December 16, 2003. https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/ce/ceza/eng/zghfz/zfgx/t165328.htm.
Republic of Ethiopia, Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels. “Walking the Walks of the Belt and Road Initiative.” August 9, 2017. https://ethiopianembassy.be/walking-the-walks-of-the-belt-and-road-initiative.
Shinn, David H. “Ethiopia and China: Two Former Empires Connect in the 20th Century.” International Journal of Ethiopian Studies 8, no. 1–2 (2014): 149–164.
Sun, Irene Yuan, Kartik Jayaram, and Omid Kassiri. “Dance of the Lions and Dragons: How Are Africa and China Engaging, and How Will the Partnership Evolve?” McKinsey & Company, June 28, 2017. https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/middle-east-and-africa/the-closest-look-yet-at-chinese-economic-engagement-in-africa.
Tarrosy, Istvan, and Zoltan Voros. “Revisiting Transportation Projects in Ethiopia.” The Diplomat, January 26, 2019. https://thediplomat.com/2019/01/revisiting-chinese-transportation-projects-in-ethiopia.
Tesfaye, Aaron. “China-Ethiopia Relations and the Horn of Africa.” ISPI, September 20, 2019. https://www.ispionline.it/en/publication/china-ethiopia-relations-and-horn-africa-23968.
Tesfaye, Aaron. China in Ethiopia: The Long-Term Perspective. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2020.
Thakur, Monika. “Building on Progress?” South African Institute of International Affairs Occasional Paper, no. 38 (2009). https://www.africaportal.org/publications/building-on-progress-chinese-engagement-in-ethiopia1.
Waal, Alex de. “The Theory and Practice of Meles Zenawi.” African Affairs 112, no. 446 (2012): 148–155.
Wallis, William. “China Puts Space-Age Seal on African Role.” Financial Times, January 31, 2012.
Zhou, Laura. “Ethiopia in Talks with China to Ease ‘Serious Debt Pressure’ Tied to New Silk Road Rail Link, Envoy Says.” South China Morning Post, March 24, 2019. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3002957/ethiopia-talks-china-ease-serious-debt-pressure-tied-new-silk.
Ziso, Edson. A Post State-Centric Analysis of China-Africa Relations: Internationalization of Chinese Capital and State-Society Relations in Ethiopia. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, 2018.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2021 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Blanchard, JM.F., Ziso, E. (2021). The Maritime Silk Road Initiative and Ethiopia: Transforming Policies, Institutions, and Politics in Expected and Unexpected Ways. In: Blanchard, JM.F. (eds) China’s Maritime Silk Road Initiative, Africa, and the Middle East. Palgrave Studies in Asia-Pacific Political Economy. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4013-8_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4013-8_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-33-4012-1
Online ISBN: 978-981-33-4013-8
eBook Packages: Political Science and International StudiesPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)