EU, China and Africa: A trilateral partnership in theory, a bilateral one in practice?

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Published by EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT POLICY MANAGEMENT (ECDPM)

URL: www.theperspective.org

Sino-Africa Relations: a historical perspective

Certainly, China has grown significantly in the last years and has become an

increasingly important player in the global economy. Its rapid growth and

increased economic openness since the early 90s, has led to concerns especially

in the western world and to hopes in the developing world. China has grown to be

the second largest recipient of the world’s investment capital and the second

largest investor on the African continent. The Chinese economy has become

increasingly internationalised with foreign trade and investment as significant

factors of rapid growth of the economy especially since the 1990s. China’s trade

with Africa rose from $10 Billion in 2000 to about $55 Billion in 2006 with intention

to increase trade with the continent to $100 Billion by 20102. It has offered soft

loans of $5Billion dollars, has completed 900 projects of economic and social

development in Africa and has provided scholarships to more than 18,000

students. In 2007, China plans to continue its development support to Africa at

the same path. Undoubtedly, this identifies China as a relevant player in

international development and illustrates its will to increase its presence in Africa.

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