Welcome to the Centre for Chinese Studies
The Centre for Chinese Studies (CCS) at Stellenbosch University is the leading African research institution for innovative & policy relevant analysis of the relations between China and Africa.
Latest News
CCS Policy Briefing: China’s role in the East African oil and gas sector: a new model of engagement?
No. 8 – August 2012
The oil and gas bonanza currently underway in East African looks set to alter the broader economic and geopolitical landscape of the region. As China continues its quest for energy security, East Africa is becoming an increasingly important region. Both Chinese state and non-state companies have gained a foot-hold in Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Kenya, where they are involved in both upstream and downstream activities. The Chinese presence, while significant, is off-set by a host of Euro-American, Middle Eastern and other Asian companies also involved in exploiting the region’s energy reserves. Infrastructural underdevelopment in the region is forcing Chinese companies to engage on the continent in new ways including the rise of joint Chinese-Euro-American ventures. This trend, in which China and its partners own financial stakes in infrastructure projects located in geo-politically unstable regions, will have future implications regarding security and national sovereignty within the region. Continue Reading
CCS in the News
China, Africa show lessons learnt with $20 bn pledge – Asia Times Online
9 August 2012
CCS Research Analyst Matthew McDonald is mentioned in this piece by the Asia Times Online which looks at some of the potential consequences of China’s announcement of US$20 billion in loans and credit to Africa at the recently concluded FOCAC V in Beijing. You can see more CCS publications on the FOCAC V here. The Asia Times article can be read here.
Commentary: What if? A sketch of Africa in the wake of long term Chinese economic depression
The recent dip in Chinese economic growth (which, at 7.6 percent, is still remarkably high by most standards) will be looked upon with concern by the global community, not least because it reflects a continued weak demand for manufactured goods by Europe and America. A long-term Chinese economic downturn would have consequences for the fate of African economic growth too. In what has become an oft-touted statistic, China’s bilateral trade with Africa grew from $10.6bn in 2000 to $ 160bn in 2011, surpassing the US as Africa’s biggest trade partner. Additionally, the largess which China dishes out in the form of roads, railways, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure projects makes China a crucial player in Africa’s economic growth. While analysts have forecast a Chinese economic bounce-back in the third and fourth quarters of this year, the disappointing nature of the current financial data nevertheless raises a longer term question: how would the African political and economic landscape alter if China’s downward trend were to continue for a significant period of time? Continue Reading
By Dr Ross Anthony
Research Fellow
Centre for Chinese Studies