The Changing Shades of China–Africa Relations in the Twenty-First Century: Different Regimes, Non-interference, and Anti-Chinese Populism in Africa

Abstract

Since the early 2000s, China has become an increasingly important outside player throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Driving this interest in SSA, China’s rapidly growing economy has demanded raw materials, such as minerals, metal, stone, and glass, which have been imported in large numbers. By 2013, oil made up 80 % of Africa’s imports to China. At the present, the Middle East remains China’s primary source of oil, supplying 2.9 million barrels a day (52 %) of China’s imports in 2013, while sub-Saharan African countries are emerging as an important alternative, providing 1.3 million barrels a day (23 %). At the same time, China’s export-driven economy has sought overseas consumer markets. African countries, characterized by young and growing populations with increasingly affluent middle classes, have provided ideal destinations for China manufactured products. As a consequence, a diverse collection of Chinese imports, including transportation products, machinery, electronics, textiles, plastics and chemicals has found its way into African markets. In total, Sino-African bilateral trade has exploded, expanding from $6 billion in 1995 to over $200 billion in 2013. In securing access to raw materials and consumer markets, Beijing has extended ‘no strings attached’ deals to African partner states, including trade agreements, development assistance and foreign direct investment (FDI)—often connected to infrastructure projects. In 2012, China’s stock of FDI across the continent officially exceeded $18.1 billion. More recently, Chinese officials have suggested the real figure might have exceeded $40 billion in 2013.