Following the dramatic takeoff of contemporary China-Africa relationship in the late 1990s, this once neglected international phenomenon has become one of the most topical themes over the past decade. This new popularity is due not only to the growing importance of both China and Africa on the global stage, but also China's rapidly increasing foreign aid on the continent. However, whilst most scholars are focusing on the financial side of the story – the massive concessional loan deals, the generous investments in natural resources and so forth, the primary purpose of this foreign aid – assisting African recipient countries' economic and welfare development – has only generated minimal interest. Little is known regarding how China delivers its foreign aid, and even less about how this foreign aid actually works in the African recipient countries. In light of this situation, this study asks: How has China's foreign aid been assisting Africa's development? On the basis of drawing specific attention to the effectiveness and sustainability of China's foreign aid in Africa, this study also explores the factors that affect these outcomes. Which, as this study finds out in the end, friendship – a factor that is often overlooked by Western scholars and patriotically examined by Chinese scholars. Not only has it continuously played a substantial role in shaping the development of China's foreign aid in Africa, but it is also frequently the most influential underlying consideration that practically undermines China's foreign aid outcomes. All in all, whilst purposed to promote China's foreign aid outcomes, this study improves our understanding of China's foreign aid in Africa. As well it delves into the development of China's foreign aid in Africa, assesses its performance, this study finds the shortcomings of China's foreign aid at present and searches for practical solutions that may contribute to its future development.

This study assesses the popular claim that Chinese engagement in Africa is imperialism through a case study of relations between China and Angola. Using Marxist imperialism theory as point of departure, it develops a comprehensive theoretical framework for testing the hypothesis that China is imperialist in its relations with Angola. This necessitates two areas of examination: the export of capital as the principal method of expansion, exploitation and extraction, and neocolonialism as the principal mode of control and domination. Whereas the former must in effect cause underdevelopment, the latter must in effect facilitate and maintain the current order. The empirical assessment finds no substantial support for the hypothesis that China is imperialist in Angola. Although multiple problematic aspects are identified in terms of debt levels, resource dependence, employment patterns and capacity building, no strong causal link is found between Chinese capital export and underdevelopment in Angola, or strong indication of neo-colonialist means of control and domination for the facilitation and maintenance of such relations. Rather, the assessment finds more empirical support for China-Angola relations being of mutual benefit development-wise, as their principal arrangement of oil-backed loans for infrastructure projects guarantees China a relatively stable market for oil import in exchange for sorely needed national reconstruction following decades of civil war. Although China and Angola are unequal powerwise, the conclusion is that they do engage on fairly equal terms in a way that cannot be deemed imperialist. This puts the general applicability of imperialism theory on China-Africa relations into question, inferring that they may indeed be more beneficial than regularly assumed. It also signals that a more careful, critical and evidence-based approach must be demanded from those that are quick to assert Chinese engagement in Africa as imperialist based on unfounded, biased or dogmatic notions rather than theoretical-empirical consideration. More case studies based on a framework such as the one developed here are encouraged to substantiate these results, with the hope of finally reaching a constructive end to this debate.

La présence chinoise en Afrique est généralement présentée par les médias occidentaux sous un angle défavorable. Les Chinois porteraient atteinte à la bonne gouvernance locale, ils ne respecteraient pas les droit africains du travail ou ne transféreraient pas suffisamment leur technologie. La thèse confirme l'existence de ces risques en démontrant notamment le manque de transparence des investissements directs chinois et les difficultés de l'Afrique subsaharienne à protéger ses intérêts. Mais à travers l'analyse du système juridique sud-africain et camerounais, l'auteur prouve que les risques que peuvent présenter les investissements chinois pour les Africains diffèrent d'un pays à l'autre, en fonction du droit local des affaires. La démonstration soulève par ailleurs un point peu traité des relations Chine-Afrique : les investissements directs chinois à destination du continent noir nécessitent, plus que ceux des Occidentaux, d'être sécurisés. L'auteur y voit deux raisons. Premièrement, la coopération juridique et judiciaire sino-africaine, par rapport à celle qui existe entre l'Occident et l'Afrique, est limitée. Deuxièmement, les investissements chinois en Afrique soulèvent des problèmes de droit international privé inédits. Entre autres, la détermination de la loi applicable peut être difficile en cas de litige opposant un investisseur chinois à son cocontractant africain. Face à cette situation de risques partagés entre l'investisseur chinois et l’État africain hôte de l'investissement, l'auteur souligne les limites du droit international et des traités bilatéraux d'investissement sino-africains tout en proposant des solutions pour équilibrer les contrats. / Western media typically portrays Chinese presence in Africa unfavorably. Chinese are accused of impairing good governance, breaching local labour laws, and impeding the transfer of technologies. This PhD thesis examines these risks; including the Jack of transparency on the part of Chinese investors and the difficulties faced by African states in protecting their interests. Analysis of South African and Cameroonian legal systems shows that the degree of risk facing African countries depends greatly on local business laws. In addition, the thesis makes a point seldom raised in debates about China-Africa relations: Chinese direct investments need, more than western countries, to be secured. According to the author, this is for two reasons. Firstly, Sino-African legal and judiciary cooperation, compared to existing relationships between the West and Africa, is limited. Secondly, Chinese investments into Africa present unanticipated problems with private international law. Among others, determining applicable laws can be problematic in the event of a conflict between a Chinese investor and his African partner. In situations where risks are shared by both the Chinese investor and the African host state, the author addresses the limits of international investment law, as well as the failings of Sino-African bilateral investment treaties, and proposes solutions to balance the scales and mitigate risks.

Si la coopération sino-africaine dans le sillage des indépendances nationales des années soixante a trouvé son ferment dans l’idéologie révolutionnaire et l’esprit de Bandung, il n’en est point question de la nouvelle phase qui s’ouvre à l’aube du XXIème siècle. En effet, les mutations internationales intervenues dans la charnière des deux siècles, le renouvellement des acteurs des deux côtés et les réalités endogènes propres à chaque partie, ont accéléré l’entrée dans une nouvelle ère où l’économie devient la pierre angulaire de la coopération. La naissance du FOCAC traduit la volonté de mieux coordonner les relations entre la Chine et l’Afrique, en même temps qu’elle donne la mesure de l’intensité et du volume de leurs échanges. Quelle est donc cette institution qui regroupe autant d’Etats ? Quels sont ses fondements théoriques? Et quelle réponse apporte-elle aux nombreux contempteurs de la présence chinoise en Afrique ? Telles sont les principales articulations de ce travail. / Whereas the China-Africa cooperation under the tough era of decolonization in 1960’s was strongly fostered by shared revolutionary ideology and Bandung spirit, that is not the case in the new phase in the early 21st century. Indeed, the deep changes occurred between the two centuries, the renewal of leaders within both sides and internal challenges faced by them, speeded up the entrance into a new era where economy becomes the cornerstone of their cooperation. The birth of FOCAC reveals the willingness to handle effectively the relationship between China and Africa, as well as it shows the intensity and the seize of their trade. What is that institution gathering together so many countries? What are its theoretical foundations? And what kind of response it provides to those who belittle China offensive in Africa? These are shortly, the main outlines of this work.

L’influence montante de la Chine en Afrique est souvent analysée comme la simple exprsssion d’unevolonté étatique chinoise. Le rôle des migrants et diasporas contribue pourtant de manière primordialeau dynamisme des échanges. C’est notamment le cas des Chinois au Nigér ia. Entre la Chine et leNigéria, les relations inter-étatiques sont peu significatives, contrairement aux échanges initiés par laprésence de migrants et entrepreneurs chinois. Implantées solidement dans les tissus économiques duNigéria, les communautés chinoises créent une dynamique forte qui associe affaires et politique. Lathèse met en lumière et analyse à partir d’observations participantes et d’entretiens (formels etinformels) , le rôle d’impulsion joué par une « diaspora économique » largement autonome par rapportaux relations officielles. Elle décrypte les stratégies du quotidien et l'importance de ces individusordinaires et leurs actions, entretenus essentiellement par les réseaux de toute nature, dans l’animationdes relations sino-nigérianes. / The rising influence of China in Africa is often considered as the mere expression of the will theChinese state. The role of migrants and Diasporas contributes decisively to the dynamism of theseinteractions. This is notably the case of the Chinese in Nigeria. Between China and Nigeria, inter-staterelations carry little significance, unlike the interactions associated with the presence of Chinesemigrants and entrepreneurs. The Chinese communities are solidly anchored in the Nigerian economicissue, and they create a momentum that combines business with politics. The thesis highlights anddiscusses, through observer-participant observations and interviews (both formally and informallyconducted) the impulse given by an 'economic Diaspora' that remains largely autonomous vis a visofficial relations. We analyze daily strategies and contrast these with official relations. In doing so, thethesis decrypts the daily strategies and the importance of ordinary individuals and their networks in thedevelopment of a diversity of networks that contribute, in their own way, to deepen Sino-Nigerianinteractions.

Diploma thesis "Involvement of the People's Republic of China in Africa' deals with the evolution of China-Africa cooperation in the three specified time periods. Mainly it deals with the time period of the last nearly sixty years. This time period was subsequently divided into the period of the Cold War, 1990s and the last period is representing the year 2000 up to the present. Even though the diploma thesis deals with the African continent as a whole unit, the special emphasis was put on the four specific countries - namely Angola, Nigeria, Sudan and Zimbabwe. It analyses how the mutual cooperation has changed during these three different time periods and what has been the main components of China-Africa relationship. Primarily cooperation in the economic (foreign direct investments, foreign aid, balance of trade etc.), the political, but also the military sphere is analysed. The emphasis is also put on the Chinese status of a genuine alternative to the Western donor block, especially its policy of non- interference and aid without conditions. Diploma thesis also briefly touches on the approach of the traditional Western countries towards Africa (Washington versus Beijing Consensus). Positive and negative sides of mutual cooperation is also discussed.

À travers des projets d’une échelle inégalée, les acteurs chinois contribuent à la transformation des villes africaines. Le développement urbain constitue un secteur émergent des relations sino-africaines.Combinant aide publique et capitaux privés, plusieurs catégories d’acteurs – instituts d’urbanisme, entreprises de construction, promoteurs privés – y conçoivent et construisent des projets de nature variée à différentes échelles : routes urbaines, résidences de logements, villes satellites,zones économiques spéciales conçues comme des villes nouvelles. Les productions urbaines chinoises en Afrique accélèrent la métropolisation des plus grandes villes du continent et densifient leurs espaces périurbains : elles contribuent à la formation d’une nouvelle strate urbaine. Les projets chinois accompagnent l’émergence des classes moyennes africaines en facilitant l’accession à un meilleur confort de vie. Parallèlement, l’exportation de pratiques chinoises d’urbanisme véhicule une image de réussite et participe au renforcement de la puissance chinoise. / Urban development has become a growing sector within China-Africa relations. The Chinese contribute to the urbanization process in Africa. By combining development aid and business, a number of Chinese stakeholders – urban planning and design institutes, construction firms, and real estate developers – design and build there, on various scales, a great variety of projects such as urban roads, housing estates, satellite-towns, special economic zones planned as new cities. Chinese urban development projects in Africa have sped up the metropolization processin the largest African cities by making suburban areas denser and denser. This has contributed to the development of a new urban stratum in Africa. Chinese projects have been boosting the rise of the African urban middle class by facilitating access to better standards of living. At the same time, the export of Chinese urban development practices conveys an image of success andallows China to strengthen its soft power. / 中国对非洲城市发展的贡献: 中国城市规划式对非洲城市化的影响城市发展已成为中非合作越来越重要的行业。中国对非洲城市化进程作出了贡献。众多中国城市建设专业机构(城市规划设计研究院，施工企业，房地产开发商)在非洲设计和建造各类的城市发展项目: 城市道路、住宅区、卫星城市和经济特区。中国在非洲城市发展项目对加快特大城市的大都市化和密集化作出了贡献。这些项目已经推动一些非洲城市开始产生新的城市阶层。在非洲的中国项目推动非洲中产阶层的崛起，帮助他们方便获得更好的生活条件。同时，中国城市规划设计的走出去传达中国城市发展的成功形象，有利于中国加强自己的软实力。关键词：中非合作，城市发展，城市发展实践，大都市化，城市阶层，房地产，全球化，软实力，援助，新兴国家和发展中国家。