Developing Perception:An Analysis Of The Potential For Cooperation Between China And The West Over African Development

The topic of China in Africa has been of critical interest in recent years.This thesis argues that China has much to offer Africa and is taking many steps towards improving its foreign operations and taking on the responsibilities of a foreign investor.However,negative Western discourse based on biased perceptions and misleading accusations has inhibited cooperative practices and consequently hindered the scope of developmental benefit that might be realised by African nations.Making use of the image approach,this thesis looks at the changing attitudes towards Chinese activity in Africa within the international scholarly field,from 2006 to 2013.The study finds that since 2006,there has been an increasingly more positive perception of China's activity in Africa in international journals.The thesis argues that this trend in perception has the potential to lead to effective trilateral cooperation between China,Africa and the West,providing concerted efforts are made by the West to move away from anti-China discourse and by China towards increased transparency and sustainability.Such cooperation will facilitate the construction of a strong policy framework;this framework,with an emphasis on African agency,may promote real change in the improvement of living standards and more efficient,lasting development on the African continent.The dynamic nature of the current situation in Africa suggests vast possibilities for growth and positive benefits for all parties involved.