Chinese diaspora in Africa: structure, identity, influence. Part 2

In this article, the author aims to give a concentrated exposition of the evolution of the Chinese Diaspora in Africa, including its origins, modification in time of its character and size, transformations of its structure and alterations in geographical distribution on the continent. On the basis of the undertaken analysis she assesses the potential of its influence on host societies, as well as the impact it produces upon historical and economic development, political and socio-cultural life in the host nations, and on the bilateral relations of the latter with China and Taiwan.

As a result of the analysis, the author arrives to the conclusion that although at different stages of history, the quantitative component has influenced these aspects of the socio-economic life of Africa to varying degrees, it has never played the role of the main determinant of such influence. The numbers of the Chinese in any one country in Africa have never reached a point to influence the politics and economy of African States by virtue of the Diaspora’s very size proper. On the contrary, the analysis of recent trends points to a tendency towards an increase of such influence due rather to qualitative changes in the characteristics of the Diaspora, in particular, in the context of the growth of the global influence of their Chinese homeland.

The second article in the series analyzes the structure of the Chinese Diaspora in Africa, its relations with the surrounding African society, and its influence on the development of the host country as well as the relations of China and Taiwan with those States. The article also contains a critical assessment of arguments used by both the critics and the proponents of the positive spillovers of the growth of Chinese diasporas in Africa.

Keywords

Africa, Chinese Diaspora, huaqiao, identity construction, political influence, power, economy, international relations

Publication date

27.08.2020

Number of characters

28970

Cite

GOST	Fituni O. Chinese diaspora in Africa: structure, identity, influence. Part 2 // Asia and Africa Today – 2020. – Issue 7 C. 26-32 [Electronic resource]. URL: https://asaf-today.ru/S032150750010101-3-1 (circulation date: 26.04.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S032150750010101-3
MLA	Fituni, Olga L "Chinese diaspora in Africa: structure, identity, influence. Part 2." Asia and Africa Today 7 (2020):26-32. DOI: 10.31857/S032150750010101-3
APA	Fituni O. (2020). Chinese diaspora in Africa: structure, identity, influence. Part 2. Asia and Africa Today (7), pp.26-32 DOI: 10.31857/S032150750010101-3

100 rub.

When subscribing to an article or issue, the user can download PDF, evaluate the publication or contact the author. Need to register.

Number of purchasers: 0, views: 838

Readers community rating: votes 0

1. Fituni O.L. 2020. Chinese Diaspora in Africa: Spatial evolution and stages of development. Part 1. Asia and Africa Today, 2020 № 6 (In Russ.)

2. Prokhorenko I.L. 2017. Diasporas and diasporal “worlds”. Identity:personality, society, politics. Ed. I.Semenenko. M. (In Russ.)

3. Shen Zhenhui. 2019. An Essay on Chinese Culture. Transl. by O.L.Fituni. M. (In Russ.)

4. FM: Africa agrees Taiwan part of China. https://www.focac.org/eng/ttxxsy/t1732395.htm (accessed 08.03.2020)

5. 加蓬副总理首访新加坡温州会馆认祖寻根聊乡情. (Gabon's Deputy Prime Minister makes his first visit to Singapore) (In Chin.). http://www.chinanews.com/hr/yzhrxw/news/2007/02-08/871009.shtml (accessed 08.03.2020)

6. French H. 2014. China's Second Continent: How a Million Migrants Are Building a New Empire in Africa. N.Y.

7. The Mass Immigration Of Chinese People Into Africa Is Almost Entirely Driven By Money. The Economist. August 24, 2014. https://www.businessinsider.com/the-mass-immigration-of-chinese-people-into-africa-is-almost-entirely-driven-by-money-2014-8 (accessed 08.03.2020)

8. Ramirez R., Rodríguez P. The Chinese Enterprise in Africa: A Review from a European Perspective. Journal of International Relations and Foreign Policy. 2014, Vol. 2, № 2, pp. 49-73.

9. Wegenast T., Krauser M. et al. At Africa’s expense? Disaggregating the employment effects of Chinese mining operations in sub-Saharan Africa. World Development. V. 118, June 2019, pp. 39-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2019.02.007 (accessed 10.03.2020)

10. Mohan G. et al. 2014. Chinese Migrants and Africa’s Development: New imperialists or agents of change? L.: Zed Books.

11. Tang Xiaoyang.. ‘Models of Chinese Engagement in Africa’s Extractive Sectors and Their Implications’. Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development. 2014, V. 56, № 2, pp. 27-30.

12. 以“侨”架“桥”习近平这样谈侨务工作. (Let “emigrants” build transnational “bridges”. Xi Jinping talks about overseas Chinese affairs) (In Chin.). https://www.guancha.cn/politics/2019_05_29_503611.shtml?s=zwybjwzbt (accessed 27.02.2020)

13. “祖国是我们最强有力的依靠” 海外华侨华人热议十九大报告.人民网－人民日报.("The motherland is our strongest support"-Overseas Chinese discuss the report of the 19th CPC National Congress. People’s Daily). October 24, 2017. (In Chin.). http://cpc.people.com.cn/19th/n1/2017/1024/c414305-29604561.html (accessed 27.02.2020)

14. “中非关系”为何“非”比寻常？习近平这样说. 2018-07-21. (Diplomatic idioms: What is so unusual about "China-Africa Relations"? This is what Xi Jinping says) (In Chin.). http://www.xinhuanet.com/world/2018-07/21/c_129918013.htm (accessed 27.02.2020)