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China and Africa: Improving Cooperation

Centre for Conflict Resolution | November 2009

China's impressive economic growth in recent years would not have been possible without the exploitation of raw materials in Africa. Up to now Beijing's interests in Africa have been largely economic in nature. This, however, is bound to change as China's increasingly political involvement in Sudan and Zambia shows. In order for the increasing Chinese presence in Africa not to produce detrimental effects, certain aspects of their economic and political cooperation should be reconsidered.

In view of the huge unemployment problem on the African continent, it is not surprising that one of the primary concerns of Africans is the issue of Chinese entrepreneurs employing African workers and specialists. Moreover, China should be careful not to force homegrown industries out of the market, in particular the textile industry. Chinese special economic zones should make a greater contribution to economic development and regional integration by working more closely with regional structures such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). These regional structures, together with the African Union, could more effectively pursue Africa's interest vis-à-vis China by working on the level of the Secretariat of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The committees of the FOCAC could provide African representatives a venue for discussing issues such as labor legislation, education, and the environment with Beijing. On the international stage, Beijing could use its position as one of the permanent members of the UN Security Council in order to further African claims to at least two seats in the council's enlargement process. Furthermore, China could support Africa in its interactions with the World Bank and the World Trade Organization. It is becoming increasingly important for the African continent to have its own voice in international talks on African issues. Support by China for the regular participation of African Union representatives in these summits could prove highly beneficial for African interests.

Irrespective of the great potential for cooperation between China and Africa, caution is nonetheless called for. The Africans should not allow the Chinese to abuse their position in order to mobilize African governments to support its position in the UN Human Rights Council. China might also be tempted to prop up authoritarian regimes in Africa in order to gain advantages in arms sales or preferential access to raw materials. China today ranks third amongst Africa's trading partners, just behind Europe and the United States. In view of the fact that Africa will undoubtedly gain in importance economically and strategically in the near future, Americans and Europeans would also do well to show themselves more receptive to African concerns and interests. The Chinese ought not to remain the only ones to recognize the African continent's great potential.

This summary was prepared by the Atlantic Community editorial team from "Taming the Dragon? Defining Africa's Interests" published here by the Centre for Conflict Resolution (South Africa).