Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

China’s Aid to Africa

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
China’s Foreign Aid

Abstract

Geographically speaking, the continent of Africa is far away from China. In modern history, however, Africa and China share the same or similar experiences, and both advocate the establishment of a new international political and economic order. These similar experiences and ideas have laid a solid foundation for the development of comprehensive relations between China and Africa. Thus, China’s assistance to Africa has exerted a profound global influence, although the assistance provided by China to Africa came later than that provided to China’s neighboring countries, the scale of China’s aid to Africa is also far less than the scale of assistance provided to Asian countries, and the scale of Chinese foreign aid cannot be mentioned in the same breath with that provided by the developed capitalist countries.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    “Scheme for Participating in the Asian-African Conference (draft)” (April 4–5, 1955), open archives 207-00004-01 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  2. 2.

    “Report made by Premier Zhou Enlai at the session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress regarding the Asian-African Conference” (May 13, 1955), pp. 5–6, open archives 207-00014-01 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  3. 3.

    The preface to the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China passed by the Fifth Session of the Fifth National People’s Congress stated that: “China’s future is closely linked with the future of the world. China upholds an independent foreign policy, and adheres to the five principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence, and develops the diplomatic relations and economic and cultural exchanges with the various countries; consistently fights against imperialism, hegemony and colonialism, strengthens solidarity with peoples of the world, supports the oppressed nations and the developing countries in winning and safeguarding their national independence and developing their national economies, making continuous efforts to safeguard world peace and promote human progress. (Shi 1989: 15)”.

  4. 4.

    “Report made by Premier Zhou Enlai at the session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress regarding the Asian-African Conference” (May 13, 1955), pp. 10–11, open archives 207-00014-01 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  5. 5.

    Approval and transfer of “Report for Strengthening the Leadership for Foreign Economic and Technical Assistance” proposed by Chen Yi and Li Fuchun by the CPC Central Committee (October 29, 1958). http://news.xinhuanet.com/ziliao/2005-01/05/content_2419146.htm.

  6. 6.

    “Outline of the Report of the Visit to Fourteen Countries”, pp. 20–22, open archives 203-00494-01 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  7. 7.

    “Outline of the Report of the Visit to Fourteen Countries”, pp. 18–19, open archives 203-00494-01 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  8. 8.

    “Outline of the Report of the Visit to Fourteen Countries”, p. 39, open archives 203-00494-01 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  9. 9.

    See the record of the interview with the former Director of the Department of Foreign Assistance on August 30, 2007.

  10. 10.

    “Relations between France and Guinea” (December 7, 1958), open archives 110-00776761-04 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  11. 11.

    “Political Situation and Future Trends in Guinea after Its Independence” (October 18, 1958), open archives 108-00005-08 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  12. 12.

    “Transcript of talks of Vice Premier Chen Yi when meeting with the representative of Guinea Diavadu” (October 12, 1959), open archives 108-00057-03 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; “Transcript of talks of Liu Shaoqi when meeting with Guinean Workers Union General Secretary Mamady” (May 20, 1959), open archives 108-00058-05 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  13. 13.

    “Telegram for Instructions of Donations of 10,000 tons of Rice to Guinea” (April 23–November 25, 1960), open archives 108-00032-01 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; “Key points of five talks and a one-to-one talk with President Touré when Premier Zhou Enlai visited Guinea” (January 22–26, 1964), open archives 203-00627-01 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  14. 14.

    “Transcript of talks of Liu Shaoqi when meeting with Guinean Workers Union General Secretary Mamady” (May 20, 1959), open archives 108-00058-05 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  15. 15.

    “Key points of five talks and a one-to-one talk with President Touré when Premier Zhou Enlai visited Guinea” (January 22–26, 1964), open archives 203-00627-01 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  16. 16.

    “Political situation and future Trends in Guinea after its independence” (October 18, 1958), open archives 108-00005-08 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  17. 17.

    “The Situation concerning the assistance provided by Poland, Hungary and East Germany to Guinea” (February 22–26, 1959), open archives 109-01337-02 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  18. 18.

    “Transcript of talks by Liu Shaoqi when meeting with Guinean Workers Union General Secretary Mamady” (May 20, 1959), open archives 108-00058-05 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  19. 19.

    “Current domestic situation and diplomatic trend in Guinea (survey data)” (December 10, 1959), open archives 108-00135-05 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  20. 20.

    “Arrangement of aid for the reconstruction projects in Guinea” (October 4, 1961–January 24, 1962), open archives 108-00720-04 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  21. 21.

    “Current domestic situation and diplomatic trend in Guinea (survey data)” (December 10, 1959), open archives 108-00135-05 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  22. 22.

    “Main gist of talks delivered by Guinean President Sékou Touré to the delegation of the China Council for Afro-Asian Solidarity” (April 18, 1960), open archives 108-00106-03 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  23. 23.

    “Key points of five talks and a one-to-one talk with President Touré when Premier Zhou Enlai visited Guinea” (January 22–26, 1964), open archives 203-00627-01 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  24. 24.

    “Rebalancing the trade surplus between China and Guinea” (May 26–June 21, 1961), open archives 108-00722-04 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The proposal made by the Chinese embassy in Guinea of “appropriate political consideration for trade with Guinea and prevention of single trade” was agreed to by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Trade”.

  25. 25.

    Twice China’s assistance of rice to Guinea in 1959 and 1960 was referred to as the “Issue of China’s assistance of rice to Guinea” (March 17–June 25, 1959), open archives 108-00137-02 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; “Telegram for instructions of donations of 10,000 tons of rice to Guinea” (April 23–November 25, 1960), open archives 108-00032-01 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  26. 26.

    “Transcript of talks of Liu Shaoqi when meeting with Guinean Workers Union General Secretary Mamady” (May 20, 1959), open archives 108-00058-05 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  27. 27.

    “Provision of Chinese rice to Guinea” (March 17–June 25, 1959), open archives 108-00137-02 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  28. 28.

    “Telegram for instructions regarding the donation of 10,000 tons of rice to Guinea” (April 23–November 25, 1960), open archives 108-00032-01 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  29. 29.

    See Footnote 28.

  30. 30.

    “Report about the visits of the Chinese ambassador to Guinea among the entourage of President Touré” (June 16, 1960), open archives 204-00444-06 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  31. 31.

    “Records of the talks of Guinean officials requiring China’s economic assistance” (May 2–July 14, 1960), open archives 108-00089-03 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  32. 32.

    “Talks between the Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade Lu Xuzhang and the delegation of the Guinean government” (October 6, 1959), open archives 204-00079-07 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  33. 33.

    “Request for instructions regarding the talks with the visiting Guinean President Sékou Touré” (July 22–28, 1960), open archives 204-00104-01 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  34. 34.

    “Matter about Guinea requiring assistance for the reconstruction of the Konkoure Dam” (August 4, 1960), open archives 108-00089-07 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  35. 35.

    “President Touré of Guinea sent a letter to President Liu Shaoqi to seek economic aid” (July 28–29, 1960), open archives 108-00089-05 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  36. 36.

    See Footnote 35.

  37. 37.

    “Opinions about provision of economic assistance to Guinea” (September 6, 1960), open archives 108-00089-01 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  38. 38.

    The amount of the loan comes from the speech by President Touré to the general public rather than from the economic and technical agreement signed between China and Guinea. See “The speech delivered by President Touré of Guinea praising China’s assistance to Guinea” (June 16–July 6, 1963), open archives 108-00899-05 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; amounts in US dollars are calculated according to the exchange rate stated in “President Touré of Guinea sent a letter to President Liu Shaoqi to seek economic assistance.” See “President Touré of Guinea sent a letter to President Liu Shaoqi to seek economic aid” (July 28–29, 1960), open archives 108-00089-05 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  39. 39.

    “Response of Guinea and the relevant parties to the visit of President Touré of Guinea” (September 14–October 25, 1960), open archives 204-00444-31 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  40. 40.

    “The government of Guinea’s trade mission visiting China” (May 3, 1960–November 25, 1960), open archives 108-00184-01 (1) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  41. 41.

    “Arrangement of assistance for construction projects in Guinea” (October 4, 1961–January 24, 1962), open archives 108-00720-04 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; “The situation about the match factory and cigarette factory built with the Chinese assistance in Guinea” (March 4, 1963–November 21, 1963), open archives 108-00900-02 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; “Talks of Vice Premier Li Xiannian when meeting with the economic delegation of the Guinean government” (April 27, 1963), open archives 108-00374-03 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  42. 42.

    “Arrangement of assistance for construction projects in Guinea” (October 4, 1961–January 24, 1962), open archives 108-00720-04 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  43. 43.

    “Arrangement of assistance for the construction projects in Guinea” (October 4, 1961–January 24, 1962), open archives 108-00720-04 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  44. 44.

    “The situation about assistance to Guinea and suggestions regarding it made by the Chinese embassy in Guinea” (March 5–15, 1963), open archives 108-00900-01 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  45. 45.

    See Footnote 44.

  46. 46.

    “Situation of the match and cigarette factories in Guinea aided by China” (March 4, 1963–November 21, 1963), open archives 108-00900-02 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  47. 47.

    “The speech delivered by President Touré of Guinea praising China’s assistance to Guinea” (June 16, 1963–June 6, 1963), open archives 108-00899-05 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  48. 48.

    See the record of the interview with the former Director of the Department of Foreign Assistance under the Ministry of Commerce, Zhang Chixin, on September 4, 2007.

  49. 49.

    For the diplomatic exchange between China and Egypt during the “Six-Day War”, see (Huang 2007: 140–144).

  50. 50.

    Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping (Volume II), People’s Publishing House, 1994, Edition II, pp. 415–417.

  51. 51.

    Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping (Volume II), People’s Publishing House, 1994, Edition 2, pp. 111–112.

  52. 52.

    The report entitled “Comprehensively Creating a New Situation in the Socialist Modernization Drive” delivered by Hu Yaobang at the Twelfth National Congress of the Communist Party of China, September 8, 1982. See the News of the Communist Party of China. http://cpc.people.com.cn/GB/64162/64168/64565/65448/4526430.html.

  53. 53.

    Communication of Foreign Aid Work, 2006(6), pp. 4–5.

  54. 54.

    Communication of Foreign Aid Work, 2006(6), pp. 5–7.

  55. 55.

    According to Chen Mi of the Commercial Division of the Chinese Embassy in Guinea, he had worked for a long time at this cement plant built with Chinese aid; later, as part of the Chinese government’s debt relief, the cement plant in Cameroon was fully handed over to the Government of Cameroon.

  56. 56.

    See Footnote 48.

  57. 57.

    See Footnote 48.

  58. 58.

    See Footnote 48.

  59. 59.

    Wu Shaohua who served as the General Manager of the Preferential Loan Department under the China Exim Bank in 2008 had more than 10 years of experience in the Asian Development Bank.

  60. 60.

    Mainly refers to the free aid and interest-free or low-interest loans.

  61. 61.

    See Footnote 48.

  62. 62.

    See Footnote 48.

  63. 63.

    See the record of the interview with Wu Shaohua—the General Manager of the Preferential Loan Department under the China Exim Bank on May 23, 2008.

  64. 64.

    See the record of the interview with the former Director of the Department of Foreign Assistance under the Ministry of Commerce, Li Chengwei, on August 30, 2007, and the record of the interview with the former Director of the Department of Foreign Assistance under the Ministry of Commerce, Zhang Chixin, on September 4, 2007.

  65. 65.

    The China Exim Bank is supervised by the China Banking Regulatory Commission in accordance with standards for commercial banks. See the record of the interview with Wu Shaohua—the General Manager of the Preferential Loan Department under the China Exim Bank on May 23, 2008.

  66. 66.

    See the record of the interview with the former Director of the Department of Foreign Assistance under the Ministry of Commerce, Li Chengwei, on August 30, 2007.

  67. 67.

    See the record of the interview with Narbio—the Egyptian Minister in charge of the International Cooperation Department on January 22, 2008.

  68. 68.

    See Footnote 63.

  69. 69.

    See the record of the interview with the Vice Minister of Commerce, Wang Wendong, on August 15, 2007.

  70. 70.

    See Footnote 48.

  71. 71.

    See Footnote 63.

  72. 72.

    See the record of the interview with the Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Liu Xinsheng, on January 23, 2008.

  73. 73.

    See the record of the interview with Narbio—the Egyptian Minister in charge of the International Cooperation Department on January 22, 2008.

  74. 74.

    See the record of the interview with the Director of the Bilateral Department under the Ministry of Finance and Economy and Development of Ethiopia on January 15, 2008.

  75. 75.

    See the record of the interview with the Ethiopian Minister of Education, Kiflu, on January 15, 2008.

  76. 76.

    See the record of the interview with the Standing Deputy General Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Botswana on March 3, 2010.

  77. 77.

    See the record of the interview with the Botswana Minister of Finance on March 4, 2010.

  78. 78.

    See the record of the interview with the officials of the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana on March 3, 2010.

  79. 79.

    See the record of the interview with the Chinese staff at the Koba farm in Guinea on February 27, 2010.

  80. 80.

    See Jiang (2007: 171–174) for the situation of the agricultural reclamation in Burkina Faso with the Chinese assistance.

References

  • Chen D (2007) Zhou Enlai flying to Africa. Liberation Army Art Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Han N (1988) Contemporary diplomacy in China. China Social Sciences Publishing House

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang H (2007) Experience—memoirs of Huang Hua. World Knowledge Publishing House

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiang X (2007) My 17-year experience in Africa. Shanghai Lexicographical Publishing House

    Google Scholar 

  • Lu M (2006) Retrospect and prospect of China-Africa friendly relations. In: Lu M, Huang S, Lin Y (eds) Same mind is like gold—glorious history of China-Africa friendly relations. World Knowledge Publishing House

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi L (1989) Foreign economic cooperation of modern China. China Social Sciences Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou B (2004) Diplomatic career at the extraordinary period (Sept. 1964–Jan. 1982), 1st edn. World Knowledge Publishing House

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou H, Zhang J, Zhang M (2007) Foreign aid in China. Social Sciences Academic Press

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beijing, China

    Jun Zhang

Authors
  1. Jun Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Academic Division for Intl. Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Academic Division for Intl. Studies, Beijing, Beijing, China

    Hong Zhou

  2. Institutes of European Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Institutes of European Studies, Beijing, China

    Hou Xiong

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Social Sciences Academic Press and Springer Science+Business Media Singapore

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Zhang, J. (2017). China’s Aid to Africa. In: Zhou, H., Xiong, H. (eds) China’s Foreign Aid. Research Series on the Chinese Dream and China’s Development Path. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2128-2_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation