ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the impact of ideas, values and tangible benefits resulting from China’s engagement in Malawi. It provides a more nuanced understanding of the nature of foreign aid policies implemented by new donors such as China in Malawi. The architecture of development aid has changed dramatically in the past decade, and there are numerous new entrants in the aid industry. China’s development aid practices have often been praised by African leaders for its flexibility and friendliness when compared to the practices of western donors. Malawi’s switch of diplomatic relations from Taiwan to China was motivated by a number of reasons including casting the net wider for development finances. The Chinese have registered their presence in Malawi much more in the infrastructure sector than in any other sector. The rapid increase of trade relations between China and Malawi has not been without friction and antagonism.
