ABSTRACT

Interest in China and Africa is growing exponentially. Taking a step back from the
‘events-driven’ reactions characterizing much coverage, this timely book reflects more deeply on questions concerning how this subject has been, is being and can be
studied.

It offers a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary and authoritative contribution to Africa–China studies. Its diverse chapters explore key current research themes and debates, such as agency, media, race, ivory, development or security, using a variety of case studies from Benin, Kenya and Tanzania, to Angola, Mozambique and Mauritius. Looking back, it explores the evolution of studies about Africa and China. Looking forward, it explores alternative, future possibilities for a complex and constantly evolving subject.

Showcasing a range of perspectives by leading and 
emerging scholars, New Directions in AfricaChina Studies is an essential resource 
for students and scholars of Africa and China relations.

part I|35 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|34 pages

Studying Africa and China

part II|107 pages

From China in Africa to global African studies

chapter 2|14 pages

From field work to academic field

Personal reflections on China–Africa research

chapter 3|22 pages

African studies in China in the twenty-first century

A historiographical survey

chapter 6|14 pages

“China in Africa” in the Anthropocene

A discourse of divergence in a converging world

chapter 7|13 pages

Doing ethnography beyond China

The ethic of the ignorant foreigner

part III|98 pages

Views from downstairs: ethnography, identity, and agency

chapter 9|14 pages

Chinese peanuts and Chinese machinga

145The use and abuse of a rumour in Dar es Salaam (and ethnographic writing)

chapter 11|16 pages

Kenyan agency in Kenya–China relations

Contestation, cooperation and passivity

chapter 13|20 pages

Dependency and underdevelopment

The case of the Special Economic Zone in Mauritius

chapter 14|16 pages

Ivory trails

Divergent values of ivory and elephants in Africa and Asia

part IV|85 pages

Views from upstairs: elites, policy and political economy

chapter 17|11 pages

A Chinese model for Africa

Problem-solving, learning and limits

chapter 18|8 pages

New Structural Economics

A first attempt at theoretical reflections on China–Africa engagement and its limitations

part V|17 pages

Conclusion

chapter 21|16 pages

Conclusion