China-Africa Relations: Toward New Strategic Partnerships From 2006 To 2015

Sino-African relations have witnessed an impressive development in the last decade. The increase of these relations was favoured by Beijing’s adoption of a new African policy aimed at fulfilling its growing economic needs as well as consolidating its status as a world power. The rapid increase of Sino-African investment and trade volume, as well as the number of Chinese infrastructure projects in Africa, have directly contributed to deepening Beijing’s diplomatic and also strategic relations with most African states. Nevertheless, this new Sino-African connection is not without problems. They are sources of new responsibilities and challenges of both side-China and Africa. These multiple challenges are linked to the political, diplomatic and security consequences of China’s economic and human footprint influence on the black continent. These challenges affect the real weight of China in Africa and its ability to influence its future. The main question that we will address here is to know why and how the People’s Republic of China is today a powerful influence partner of the African continent.