The increase in China’s economic and political involvement in Africa is arguably the most momentous development on the continent since the end of the Cold War. This book seeks to detail the origins, structure, workings and activities of The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and its development over the last nine years. Mindful of the growing realisation that Africa is to play an increasingly important role in global energy politics, Ian Taylor provides a clear and detailed overview of an organisation that has been generally overlooked, despite the exponential rise in the importance of the Chinese presence in Africa. Topics addressed include: the key structures, functions and operations of the FOCAC the importance and development of the triennial summits, including the focus on cultural exchanges and economic cooperation the key criticisms and challenges currently faced by the FOCAC discussion of ‘emerging issues’ – is it possible to have a "win-win" situation between Africa and China, as the FOCAC suggests? The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation provides a concise introduction to an organisation that will be instrumental in the future of Africa’s relationship with the developed world, and will be of interest to students of African and Chinese politics, International Relations and International Organizations.

This book seeks to detail the origins, structure, workings and activities of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and its development over the last nine years.

"Research on China's African engagement has increased significantly in recent years and covers a wide range of topics and issues. while much of this research has been critical of China's activities on the continent, few observers have attempted to analyse or understand China's policy towards Africa and the specific diplomatic framework (FOCAC) constructed by China to advance dialogue, problem solving and mutual benefit. FOCAC forms the central pillar in advancing China-Africa relations and is the arena for constructive diplomatic interaction. It provides the foundation for building a long-term 'win-win' China-Africa relationship. A fuller understanding of FOCAC as a mechanism for advancing such a China-Africa win-win relationship and for building positive South-South relations is required to advance the China-Africa research agenda. This monograph seeks to provide this understanding of FOCAC."--P. [4] of cover.

The People's Republic of China once limited its involvement in African affairs to building an occasional railroad or port, supporting African liberation movements, and loudly proclaiming socialist solidarity with the downtrodden of the continent. Now Chinese diplomats and Chinese companies, both state-owned and private, along with an influx of Chinese workers, have spread throughout Africa. This shift is one of the most important geopolitical phenomena of our time. China and Africa: A Century of Engagement presents a comprehensive view of the relationship between this powerful Asian nation and the countries of Africa. This book, the first of its kind to be published since the 1970s, examines all facets of China's relationship with each of the fifty-four African nations. It reviews the history of China's relations with the continent, looking back past the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949. It looks at a broad range of areas that define this relationship—politics, trade, investment, foreign aid, military, security, and culture—providing a significant historical backdrop for each. David H. Shinn and Joshua Eisenman's study combines careful observation, meticulous data analysis, and detailed understanding gained through diplomatic experience and extensive travel in China and Africa. China and Africa demonstrates that while China's connection to Africa is different from that of Western nations, it is no less complex. Africans and Chinese are still developing their perceptions of each other, and these changing views have both positive and negative dimensions.

China's rise to global power status in recent decades has been accompanied by deepening economic relationships with Africa, with the New Silk Road's extension to Sub-Saharan Africa as the latest step, leading to much academic debate about the influence of Chinese business in the continent. However, China's engagement with African states at the political and diplomatic level has received less attention in the literature. This book investigates the impact of Chinese policies on African politics, asking how China deals with political instability in Africa and in turn how Africans perceive China to be helping or hindering political stability. While China officially operates with a foreign policy strategy which conceives of Africa as one integrated monolithic area (with the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) the flagship of inter-continental cooperation), this book highlights the plurality of context-specific interaction patterns between China and African elites, demonstrating how China's role and relevance has differently evolved according to whether African countries are resource-rich and geostrategically important from the Chinese perspective or not. By looking comparatively at a range of different country cases, the book aims to promote a more thorough understanding of how China reacts to political stability and instability, and in which ways the country contributes to domestic political dynamics and stability within African states. China’s New Role in African Politics will be of interest to researchers from across Political Science, International Relations, International Law and Economy, Security Studies, and African and Chinese Studies.

Overall, this book provides a thorough analysis of the hitherto under-researched topic of relations between China and Africa, a phenomenon of critical importance in contemporary international politics."--Jacket.

This book offers a range of perspectives on the Africa–China partnership in the context of the Forum on China and Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Incorporating historical, political, social and cultural dimensions, it offers innovative views on the Africa–China relationship that combine theory and practice, and critically examines the prospects of a Pan-African policy towards China, complementary to China’s comprehensive African policy. The chapters address a number of key questions, including: What steps are being taken to achieve a more coordinated approach and policy towards China on the African continent? Does Africa even need a collective strategy in the first place? How would a coherent policy framework affect Africa’s relations with Europe and other external partners? How do the pillars of the partnership align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development?