China's Rise And Its Implications For Africa

This thesis aims to explain the impact of China's rise on its relations with other countries,using Africa as a case study.Thanks to the open door and reform policies,China has experienced a growth of its economy that translated into its rise on the international arena and the ability to improve and expand its economic,military,diplomatic capacities.Starting from 1978,the shift from a planned economy system to a reform program have gradually opened up China's domestic market and economy to international trade and investments.China's extraordinary economic growth and active diplomacy are already transforming the world,and future decades will see even greater increases in Chinese power and influence.Such situation raised the question of whether China's rise will be peaceful or not.To reassure its partners,China invested a lot of efforts in contributing to regional and international organizations and in promoting peace and harmony around the world.China's foreign policy is based on key principles such as mutual benefits,peaceful cooperation etc.One of the biggest impact of China's rise and its presence in Africa is the fact that Africa will benefit from an increase of China's assistance.Such scenario is seen as a rival by the West and other peer competitors.It is commonly admitted that a powerful state can create and enforce the rules and institutions of a stable global order in order to pursue its own interests and security.But nothing lasts forever:long-term changes in the distribution of power give rise to new challenger states,who set off a struggle over the terms of that international order.Rising states want to translate their newly acquired power into greater authority in the global system--to reshape the rules and institutions in accordance with their own interests.Declining states,in turn,fear their loss of control and worry about the security implications of their weakened position.The diplomatic approach of China in Africa makes it an indispensable partner of the African continent.Thanks to its rise,China has the means to sustain and expand its sphere of influence in Africa.Such situation makes the West and other emerging powers fear that their influence might fade away and prompt them to adopt a more offensive position against China.The future of Sino-African relations depends on how both regions will handle relations with China's peer competitors.