H-Net Review of Kenya's and Zambia's Relations with China 1949-2019 by Duan Ruodi (original) (raw)
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Stichproben. Wiener Zeitschrift für kritische Afrikastudien / Vienna Journal of African Studies, 2024
Jodie Yuzhou Sun's monograph Kenya's and Zambia's Relations with China 1949-2019 provides readers with a comparative longue durée perspective on ideological, economic, political, and social relations between Kenya and China as well as Zambia and China. The book contains an introduction, ve chapters, a conclusion, several appendices, a bibliography, an index and ten photographs on altogether 260 pages. With regard to the objectives of the book, the author's principal motivation was to present a multifaceted and complex picture of these relations, uncovering African agency while challenging a monolithic and ahistorical understanding of China's involvement on the African continent.
From Diplomacy to Contestation: Paradigm Shifts in the Zambia-China Relations, 1964-2011
International journal of research and innovation in social science, 2021
Between 1964 and 2011, relations between Zambia and China saw paradigm shifts from "mutual" diplomatic relations to economic relations and eventually to contestation. China was an important pillar of the anti-colonial struggle in Zambia and the southern African sub-region. She provided economic and morale aid, logistical support, infrastructure building and education training for Zambia and other southern African countries. From 1964 until 1971, Zambia gave unflinching diplomatic support to China"s cause for readmission to the United Nations. The 1964-2011 period saw the Zambia-China relationship undergo trio paradigm shifts; from China being an aid and loans provider to being an investor, from Chinese state-directed aid and loans to Chinese state and private investments in Zambia. From 2000, the Zambian people contested what they saw as Chinese invasion of their economic space. This paper explores these paradigm shifts in the Zambia-China relations between 1964 and 2011. The paper investigates whether China"s relationship with Zambia gravitated from a benefactor-beneficiary relationship to "mutual" benefit; punctuated by contestation by Zambians or whether the relations were tantamount to a Chinese "colonisation" of Zambia"s economic landscape. Data for this paper was collected from official Zambian and Chinese government records and correspondence at the National Archives of Zambia. Other data was collected from the Archives of the United National Independence Party (UNIP) in Lusaka and from newspapers and secondary sources. These sources were subjected to comprehensive literature analysis to arrive at the conclusion that 1964 and 2011 the Zambia-China relations underwent three paradigm shifts from "mutual" diplomatic relations to economic relations and eventually to contestation between.
China-Zambia engagements: is there change, what has changed and why
Journal of Contemporary East Asia, 2024
This paper examines China-Zambia bilateral relations from a historical perspective. In particular, it looks at how these relations have been changing in emphasis from the pre-independence era to the present and the factors associated with these changes. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to collect data. Secondary data were mainly collected from government reports, while qualitative data were collected from some key informants using in-depth interviews. The discussion and analysis is informed by the pentagonal analytical framework. The findings demonstrate that bilateral relations been the two countries have been changing but only in emphasis; from the pre-independence period, which was characterized by support for the liberation of Zambia, through the provision of development aid immediately afterward, and now to the current focus on trade and investment, which is more economic in orientation. It has also been frequently argued that the contracting process for loans should be more transparent so that it is inclusive and not just left to the executive arm of government without involving the national assembly. In order for Zambia to benefit from this engagement the country needs good leadership, but this has been lacking until recently.
'Now the cry was Communism': the Cold War and Kenya’s relations with China (1964-1970)
Cold War History, 2020
This article, by exploring the complex interaction among domestic politics, foreign policy, and the Cold War in Africa, analyses Kenya’s relations with Communist China between 1964 and 1970. As newly independent Kenya sought foreign aid and trade opportunities, the Sino-Soviet competition for influences in the ‘Third World’ enabled limited bargaining power for the Kenyan nation, commonly perceived as ‘weak’. Through an analysis of the factional political struggles within the Kenya African National Union (KANU) as well as Oginga Odinga’s overtures to China, this article emphasises the significance of local dynamics and forces in determining the unfolding ‘local’ Cold War.
China in Africa: friend or foe?: China's contemporary political and economic relations with Africa
2006
Since the end of the Cold War, China has displayed a reinvigorated interest in the African continent. There are differing viewpoints as to whether China's increasing involvement in Africa is beneficial to the African continent, or whether there are negative consequences. This assignment attempts to answer this question by exploring the nature of China's political, economic, and aid relationships with the African continent, by highlighting examples from four countries: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Sudan. China's interests in Africa are motivated primarily by economics and diplomacy. In other words, Africa is important to China as a vast source of resources to feed its growing manufacturing base, as well as a source of energy security. In addition, China sees Africa as an important destination for its affordable manufactured goods. China's interests in Africa, however, are not only confined to economics, but extend to diplomacy as well. China is attempting to position itself as an important power in the international system and, in so doing, promote its own views and policies within international multilateral organisations. Africa plays an important role in this regard, particularly in institutions with 'one-country, one vote' arrangements. Thus, China attempts to court African governments in order to secure access to Africa's vast resources, as well as to garner support for its policies in the international arena. After an in-depth examination of the evidence, it is concluded that China's engagement with Africa is based on strategic political and economic considerations and fits within a Realist explanatory framework. It is therefore contended that China's presence on the African continent presents both opportunities as well as threats, although African governments need to be pro-active in order to exploit the potential opportunities. Furthermore, it is concluded that the negative consequences of China's involvement in Africa are not only attributable to China's behaviour in Africa, but some of the blame should also be shifted to corrupt African governments and elites who operate within a framework of neo-patrimonial politics which exacerbates corruption and mal-governance on the continent. Such behaviour stalls efforts emanating from 'responsible' African leaders to promote good governance and democracy on the continent, for example through institutions such as the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) and the African Union (AU). I would like to acknowledge the following people, without whom the completion of this assignment would not have been possible: o First and foremost my supervisor, Dr. Scarlett Cornelissen. Her comments and suggestions provided invaluable guidance throughout the process of writing this thesis, and her constructive critique helped me to challenge myself. In addition, I would like to thank her for her constant encouragement and motivation, which I found truly inspiring. o I would also like to thank Dr. Ian Taylor for his valuable insights and comments regarding the topic of my thesis. o Thirdly, I would like to acknowledge the support of my classmates and friends, especially Cindy-Lee Steenekamp and Mirjam van Vliet: there is nothing like being in the same boat! o And last, but not least, thank you to my family for their encouragement, support and absolute faith in my abilities, and especially my sister, Annelle, for her unfailing support and genuine interest in my work.