Speakers
Chris Alden (London School of Economics);
Daniel Large (School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London)  
Zhu Ming (Shanghai Institute for International Studies)


Highlights of Professor Chris Alden’s conference: "China's African Puzzle"

How does China react to the rising challenges to securing its expanding economic interests in Africa?

Main reasons of the increasing Chinese involvement in the African continent are: resources, development of market, and movement into financial services, politics of recognition and multilateralism and Chinese immigrants to Africa. The immigration fact has increased over last years. Chinese are looking forward to opening up new business in Africa, they are obviously resources seekers. As we all know Africa is an unsaturated market and Chinese business men know that.

What is the China’s main achievement?
China is the Africa’s largest trading partner, Africa has 21% of China’s total OFDI stocks, resource trade are taking place between China and Africa and finally China banks Africa.

What is the China’s model in Africa?
More than an African model itself, we need to talk about the China’s model in general. China shares its developing country experience. I bear in mind this quote “If you want to be rich, you must first build a road” (Yao Xiang Fu). So, economically speaking, China is building a new road in Africa, but literally speaking, China is building new roads (Zambia) and improving airports’ infrastructures (Mozambique).  
As I said before, the contemporary phase of Chinese economic engagement in Africa is primarily resource seeking.
Thus, China is awakening in Africa because there are always something new out of Africa.

Is this a positive experience for Africa?
I am pretty sure that it is a positive story. A public opinion survey of 20 African countries found that attitudes towards Chinese are generally positive (afro barometer 2008). However, I consider that there are also some negative attitudes associated with the colonial time Africa experienced in the past. I believe that the best way is to keep a balance and adopt a win-win attitude for both. There is a new realism about the relations between these regions, but it is obvious that China will continue to deepen engagement with African countries.


Zhu Ming from Shanghai institute for international studies answers to our questions

Is there any type of cooperation or help between China and Africa regarding education?
For education, yes. There are many governmental programs between China and Africa as means of enhancing high education in Africa. For example, there are some scholarships programs in Shanghai for students and exchange programs in some Chinese universities. Most of our students are locals but we have also African students coming to attend higher education.

Do you have any programs for Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Mali?
There are some programs dedicated to African countries as a whole. As far as I know there are a lot of African students attending schools in Medicine, and Arts (drama or cultural studies). It is true that, more and more students from Africa are coming to China to follow studies in different areas.