China-Africa Relations in Wake of FOCAC

The University of Nottingham published on 4 December 2015 a commentary titled "FOCAC: Beyond Trade, Investments and Aid" by Daouda Cisse, University of Alberta.

The author makes a number of useful comments about China's aid architecture in Africa, technology transfer, Chinese living in Africa, environmental protection in Chinese investments, Chinese contract labor, and worker rights. 

China's Rise and Soft Power in Africa

Writing for Kenya's Daily Nation on 6 July 2013, Peter Kagwanja, CEO of the Africa Policy Institute, discussed the role of China's soft power in Africa as it tries to lessen concerns over its fast global rise.  The article titled "China's 'Soft Power' Bolsters Africa's New Assertive Diplomacy" overstates Western concerns about China's rise as it applies to Africa, but makes, nevertheless, several good points.

Quotes from China-Africa Stories

Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Africa has resulted in an increase in press inquiries and quotations from things I have written on China-Africa relations.  They include the 25 March 2013 Voice of America article titled "Xi Tries to Ease African Concerns about China's Influence," by Michael Lipin, US News and World Report 8 March 2013 commentary by Stephen Hayes titled "U.S. Should Heed Senators' Warning on Africa," and Kingsley Igbohor's 20 March 2013 blog piece titled "China, Africa's Confusing Puzzle."

China and Canada in Africa

The China Institute of the University of Alberta, in collaboration with the International Development Research Centre and Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade convened a conference in Ottawa on 20-21 September 2012 to explore Chinese and Canadian experiences, policy options, and outlooks for constructive engagement in Africa's growth and development.

Click here to access links to the conference program and summary report of the conference.

Research Issues on China-Africa Relations

I was invited to join a panel on 29 November 2012 at the African Studies Convention in Philadelphia on the problems of doing research on China-Africa relations. I focused on three areas: lack of good Chinese foreign direct investment figures for Africa, the paucity of information on the military relationship and confusion over the number of Chinese in Africa today.

Click here to access my remarks.