Abstract Two 2012

GLOBAL

DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

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Volume Six Winter-Spring 2011 Numbers 3-4.

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BETWEEN THE TIGER AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA: A CRITIQUE OF WESTERN PERSPECTIVES ON

CONTEMPORARY SINO-AFRIC RELATIONS

Philip Attuquayefio

Research Fellow,

Legon Center for International Affairs and Diplomacy

University of Ghana, Legon

Email:pattuquayefio@ug.edu.gh

Linda Darkwa

Research Fellow

Legon Center for International Affairs and Diplomacy

University of Ghana, Legon

Email:akua.darkwa@gmail.com

Beatrice Torto

Consultant on Strategic African Development Issues

RiAfrik Consult

P.O. Box AN 6078

Accra, Ghana

Email: beatricetorto@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT

Within the last ten years, China has made significant economic and political inroads in Africa. It has enhanced relations with a significant number of African countries and its trade volume increased from US $20 billion in 2001 to an excess of US $114.81 billion in 2010. China’s involvement in Africa has generated interests from many quarters within the international community. While it appears that most African countries are keen on replicating China's success story in Africa, perspectives on Sino-African relations largely emanating from the West, generally point to some form of continental exploitation by China. These perspectives are based on China’s dealings with countries such as Sudan, Zimbabwe and Guinea, largely considered as countries with politically repressive governments, disregard for environmental corollaries, unequal negotiating ground between China and African countries, and excessive control of Africa’s resources. Operating from a realist conceptualization of international relations, and using mainly qualitative data, this article presents a critique of the West’s perspectives on contemporary Sino-Africa relations. It proceeds on the hypothesis that contemporary Sino-African relations are mutually beneficial to China and Africa. It concludes that on the basis of the mutual benefits, African countries are likely to sustain their relationships with China.