ABSTRACT
Introduction The intensified relationship between China and African states since the late 1990s has been subject to much debate and, in some quarters, also much controversy. While some accounts of the interactions are more balanced and comprehensive than others,1 the opportunities and challenges that the renewed relationship poses for African economies and for the development of states and societies are still discussed. * Sven Grimm is director of the Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. The author
Introduction The intensified relationship between China and African states since the late 1990s has been subject to much debate and, in some quarters, also much controversy. While some accounts of the interactions are more balanced and co prehensive than others,1 the opportunities and challenges that the renewed relationship poses for African economies and for the development of states and societies are still discussed. * Sven Grimm is director of the Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. The author
The discussion on China-Africa relations includes the Chinese motivation, official justification and politico-economic drivers for interactions as well as the practice and developmental impact of cooperation in African states and societies. All of these factors shape the expectations of African actors, fuelled and fanned-or cautiously managed-by Chinese rhetoric and its perception in Africa. The relationship between Chinese rhetoric and African expectations is an interesting aspect in itself that merits a closer look. This article explores the practice of cooperation as well as the promises entailed in
the public discourse on China-Africa cooperation. It discusses the implications of the reoccurring rhetorical elements in the discourse, and its perception among African state elites. This article is not meant to provide a mere discourse analysis. Rather, it aspires to cast a light on expectations and perceptions in public policies, including in the international arena. These rather ‘soft’ elements are understood to have an important effect on the relationship and its assessment on the African continent. Are Chinese state actors successfully managing expectations across the African continent? In a diverse setting of 54 states, it is likely that Chinese actions are not perceived homogenously as only positive or negative. Yet, there is potentially something to learn for the Chinese leadership from instances where promises and practice are seen as two different things. These instances, hardly ever discussed in a Chinese setting with limited academic scope for discussion, are likely to influence the prospects of China-Africa relations.
