China-Africa Relations

China-Africa relations is a topic that has sparked numerous debates,views and criticsms. Numerous pieces have been written on the matter and researches conducted even though most of them are Africa- based researches.

Old Comrades and New Brothers: A Historical Re-Examination of the SinoZanzibari and Sino-Tanzanian Bilateral Relationships in the 1960s by Alicia N. Altorfer-Ong(2014), was used to understand early relations of the two countries in the early 60s.

It shows how relations between the two countries began in the early years whereby this time period of the 60s though recieved very little or no attention scholarly speaking. Most of the works done The majorities of publications on that time perios are on the sphere of international relations

Examining The Reasons Behind China’s African Venture” by Brian C. Kreitlow (2007) whereby he contends the claims of China’s neo-mercantilist quests for energy and markets He also used Tanzania as a case study in his work to examine China’s relations with the country to see if these larger strategic goals are also evident at the level of bilateral relations. This literature provides a platform of why Tanzania should continue cooperation with China as well as showing legitimacy of Chinese presence in the continent.

Boukoro nee Amphy Wang’s China-Africa political and economic relations in the 21Century :An analysis of China’s new involvment in Africa ,tries to demonstrate the win win situation of China and Africa,opportunities given to Africa for its development and also analyses negative impacts of Chinese in Africa and also to see implications for the EU and the US. This literature is found relevant as it gives a 360degree view of the Chinese engagement in Africa not only giving the positive aspects of the relation but also negative.

In one of the comprehensive works done on China-Tanzania relations by R. Alma from the University of Amsterdam on China’s renewed engagement in Africa: A case study on the impact of Chinese aid, trade and FDI in the United Republic of Tanzania(2010), in her findings she

She says that the Chinese aid has brought about both challenges and opportunities yet as well it brings corruption to the country and it depends on Tanzania’s ability to use their bargaining power to fully exploit these relations.

Hence the accountability of the local governments in the country has to be enhanced so as to maximize the benefits of Chinese aid. Understanding these points are important to this case as we see why Tanzania should continue cooperation with China, whereby here we see that the Chinese aid is way more beneficial to the country than the Nordic aid.

To add on this topic, work in “Western and Chinese development assistance in Tanzania A Comparison of Approaches Followed by an Evaluation from a Tanzanian Perspective by Lara Lundsgaard‐Hansen(2010) talks about the lack of adequate research investigating the African perspective, whether African countries appreciate Western and Chinese development assistance, in this case using Tanzania to receive this perspective as well as the positive aspects of Chinese development