China's Business Engagement in Africa

Abstract

This article investigates China's business activities in Africa from the viewpoint of strategy. After a historical review of Chinese-African relations and identification of China's strategic objectives, we compare China's engagement in Africa with that of Western powers during the colonial and postcolonial eras. The analysis indicates that China's differentiation strategy, based on noninterference, soft power, and complementarity, has been largely successful in winning the trust of African host nations and cultivating bankable relationships. Moreover, China's well-coordinated trade, investment, and aid activities have been instrumental in building the infrastructure for sustainable economic growth in the region.