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An afrocentric critique of the foreign policy of republic of China towards Africa : case study of Zambia, 2010-2018

Thesis (M.A. (International Politics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / The foreign policy of the Republic of China (PRC) has been a considerable subject for
debate in the past two decades. This is because China has turned its attention towards
Africa, seen with the establishment of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)
in the early 2000s. Another reason for this debate is found in the fact that after
FOCAC’s initiation, China has managed to become the largest trade partner of the
African continent and the second biggest economy in the past two decades. Generally,
China-Africa relations are largely a by-product of economic and political orientations.
In the context of the above, this study uses a case study design to critique the foreign
policy of China towards Africa. This case study design uses Zambia as a test case to
critique the post-2010 Chinese foreign policy towards Africa. This is done by
constructing and analysing China’s Africa policy and subsequently, locating China’s
International relations with Zambia. To a great extent, this study imparts historical
sensibility as it locates China’s international relations with Zambia from as far as during
the colonial period. The consideration of historicity in this study draws fundamentally
from the fact that the past always provides a resonate basis for comprehending the
present and the future.
In this study, the researcher advocate for the utility of Afrocentricity as a substitute
theoretical framework important in apprehending China’s foreign policy towards Africa.
The adoption and utility of this paradigm in this study are informed highly by its ability
in spotlighting and highlighting the Asian tiger (China)’s international relations with
Zambia. It is believed in this study that a profound comprehension of China’s Zambia
policy can be realised when such interpretations and analysis are deeply found in the
continental context of the African continent. Equally important are the objectives of this
study which were realised, methodologically, through the use of document review.
In consideration of the case study of Zambia, It is important to highlight that China
ground-roots its engagement with Zambia on several factors of which the leading are:
investment, international legitimacy and market drive. To add, Zambia’s stable political
and economic environments continue to play a key role in the two countries'
interrelations. This is so, even though some of the Chinese companies operating in
Zambia are still unfamiliar with the practice of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Overall, the concept of CSR should be in the leading front when it comes to the
operations of Chinese companies in Zambia’s economic stakeholders.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ul/oai:ulspace.ul.ac.za:10386/3437
Date January 2020
CreatorsRapanyane, Makhura Benjamin
ContributorsShai, K. B., Vunza, J.P. M.
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Formatxiv, 113 leaves
RelationPDF

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