Abstract

China is rapidly escalating its scope of influence in Sub-Saharan Africa. While the world’s other major economic powers have taken much less involved approaches toward African relations, China has consistently expanded its involvement in the continent economically, politically, militarily, and culturally over the course of the last half-century. Dramatic increases in developmental aid, foreign direct investment (FDI), and favorable bilateral trade partnerships indicate that there is some perception of mutual benefit within Sino-African relations. While there are certainly areas of reciprocal advantage, an examination of the underlying agenda of Chinese actors in Sub-Saharan Africa reveals aid, investment, and trade as instruments to achieve a characteristically unilateral goal. In order to better understand the nature of Chinese interest, it is beneficial to approach China’s vision for African relations in three distinct capacities: a partner in development, an economic associate, and colonizer. In doing so, it becomes increasingly apparent that while some value is derived by Africans, there is little sense of equitable advantage. In addition to reviewing implications for China and the African continent, it is critical to consider possible implications for the global economy and specifically the United States.