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China’s Evolving Approach to the African Peace and Security Agenda: Rationale, Trends and Implications

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Africa-China Cooperation

Part of the book series: International Political Economy Series ((IPES))

Abstract

China’s involvement in peace and security initiatives in Africa marks a significant attitudinal and policy shift in Beijing’s foreign policy and security policy calculus. While the core of engagement with Africa has been economic, the deepening and broadening of China’s material interests has re-oriented its focus on the strategic and operational benefits of undertaking a security role alongside its commercial pursuits. The complex and volatile African security environment has also exposed the limited utility of a static non-interventionist stance and prompted the recalibration of China’s foreign policy objectives, while remaining committed to the projection of its image as a responsible power in the global arena. This chapter seeks to highlight and analyse the paradigmatic shifts that have informed China’s role as an emerging peace and security actor in Africa. It analyses the different areas of China’s engagement in African peace and security landscape and puts forwards key policy implications for China–Africa partnership in peace and security looking ahead.

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  1. Institute for Global Dialogue, Associated with UNISA, Pretoria, South Africa

    Faith Mabera

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  1. Institute for Global Dialogue, Associated with UNISA, Pretoria, South Africa

    Philani Mthembu

  2. Institute for Global Dialogue, Associated with UNISA, Pretoria, South Africa

    Faith Mabera

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Mabera, F. (2021). China’s Evolving Approach to the African Peace and Security Agenda: Rationale, Trends and Implications. In: Mthembu, P., Mabera, F. (eds) Africa-China Cooperation. International Political Economy Series. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53039-6_7

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