The Research Of Sino-African Relations In 1980s

Sino-African relation has always played an important role in China’s foreign relations. It is one of the cornerstones of China’s diplomacy, and the development of the partnership with Africa is China’s long-term strategic choice. In 1980s, against the background of changes in the international situation, and the need for economic development of China and Africa, China adjusted its foreign policy towards Africa. Some Western scholars regard this adjustment of foreign policy as the manifestation of a neglect of Africa, and see the 1980s as the "lost decade" for Sino-African relation and Sino-African exchanges at the beginning of the 21st century as China’s return to Africa. To correct the underestimation of Sino-African relation in the 1980s is important for the analysis of contemporary development of this relation and the study of China’s diplomatic policy toward Africa both in the theoretical and the practical way. In this paper, the first chapter reviews the modern history of Sino-African relation before 1980s, and underlines its three characteristics:ideology, radical revolutionary idea and unsustainable assistance. Through the dialectical analysis of Sino-African relation during this period, we conclude with the insufficiency in China’s diplomatic policy toward Africa and the necessity of adjustment. From the second to the fifth chapters, this paper analyses the development of Sino-Africa relation in the 1980s respectively from the perspectives of political exchange, economic cooperation, assistance to Africa and friendly exchange. At the political level, China adjusts its African policy by de-ideologizing it, and developing the relations with all countries and all political parties equally. At the economic level, the adjustment lies in developing the economic cooperation to promote the two sides’ common development in a way "pragmatic, and in various forms" on the basis of "equality and mutual benefit". During this period, bilateral political relation furthers with a more frequent high-level visits, a higher level of visits, and the strengthened inter-party exchange. With regard to regional hot-spot issues, the two countries jointly oppose aggression, expansionism and apartheid; with regard to international issues, we support North-South dialogue and South-South cooperation, and jointly promote the establishment of a new international economic order. Main characteristics of development of trade and economy in this period are:progress, unstable as it is, of Sino-Africa trade volume; diversification in the structure of commodity; barter trade and cash which characterize the payment; trade surplus in China’s direction; and China’s initial investments to African countries. The 1980s is the period of adjustment and exploration for China’s assistance to Africa, with the regulatory body, subject, content and form of assistance being changed under the guidance of reform and opening up policy and the "four principles" of China-Africa economic and technological cooperation. In the 1980s the focus of China’s overall policy shifted from the political field to a comprehensive development of political and economic cooperation. As an important means of diplomacy, the non-governmental and cultural exchanges continue to evolve in this period, which built a bridge of friendship between the two people. The last chapter analyzes the adjustment of China’s African policy and the development of Sino-African relation in the 1980s from the perspective of neoclassical realist theory, a research approach in the diplomatic theory which emerged in the late 1980s. Its adherents argue that the scope and ambition of a country’s foreign policy is driven first and foremost by its place in the international system and specifically by its relative material power capabilities. They argue further, however, that the impact of such power capabilities on foreign policy is indirect and complex, because systemic pressures must be translated through intervening variables at the unit level. In the historical context of this article, subtle changes in the international situation in the 1980s are the independent variable on the systematic stimulation. The Chinese leader, Deng Xiaoping’s belief in communism, his open and pragmatist attitude towards information form his leader image, which impacts his judgment of the theme of times:"peace and development". China’s strategic culture which emphasizes "harmony", influences all three factors of perception, decision making and policy implementing. And the unique system of party and government ensures the implementation of China’s strategies toward Africa. The adjustment of China’s policy toward Africa renders Sino-African relation more comprehensive, healthy and sustainable.