An international discourse of China-in-Africa has emerged, particularly in Western countries with dense links to Africa: The US, the UK and France. In this article, Barry Sautman and Yan Hairong assert that while China’s presence in Africa should be critically examined, interest in it in the West is skewed by elite perceptions of China as a rival for resources and influence in Africa and as a rising power, with the tone of the discourse far more negative than that accorded to the Western presence in Africa.
An international discourse of China-in-Africa has emerged, particularly in Western countries with dense links to Africa: the US, UK and France. While China’s presence in Africa should be critically examined, interest in it in the West is skewed by elite perceptions of China as a rival for resources and influence in Africa and as a rising power, with the tone of the discourse far more negative than that accorded the Western presence in Africa.
Great article and very well balanced. provides the great context that most people do not have when analyzing Africa-China relations.
The idea that could be added is the victim mentality that informs any analysis of Africa. We see that Africa as a hapless victim or even child that will be exploited if not protected by her "parents". China is portrayed as the hyena out con and cheat Africa. This is particularly the patronizing attitude that Africa must seek to change.
China is just another hardworking hyena that is looking for a meal. If Africa is the antelope in the global jungle it must learn that just because the leopard is beautiful does not make it less dangerous than the hyena.
Much as the hyena is discredited in fairly tales at the expense of the noble lion. China must act before this perception gets accepted as reality
Julius Gatune