China and the coups: Coping with political instability in Africa

African Affairs

Volumn 110, Issue 440, 2011, Pages 367-386

  Holslag, Jonathan ^a  

^a Brussels Institute of Contemporary China Studies (BICCS)   (Belgium)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

DEMOCRACY; INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT; INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS; POLITICAL INSTABILITY;

AFRICA; CHINA;

EID: 79959852158     PISSN: 00019909     EISSN: 14682621     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1093/afraf/adr022     Document Type: Article

References (89)

1. In the 1960s, France suppressed revolts in Mauritania, Gabon, Chad, and Niger, lest these would topple befriended regimes. The Cold War superpowers manipulated armed uprisings to advance their interests in numerous frail states like Angola, Zaire, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
2. An excellent overview: Odd Arne Westad, The Global Cold War: Third World interventions and the making of our times (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2005), pp. 207-50.
3. Jonathan Holslag, 'China's diplomatic victory in Darfur', Journal of Contemporary China 17, 54 (2008), pp. 125-40.
4. Dan Large, 'China's Sudan engagement', China Quarterly 199 (2009), pp. 610-26.
5. Ian Taylor, China's New Role in Africa (Lynne Rienner, Boulder, CO, 2008), pp. 133-61.
6. Bernt Berger and Uwe Wissenbach, EU-China-Africa Trilateral Cooperation (German Development Institute, Bonn, 2007).
7. Former Deputy Secretary of State Bob Zoellick initially proposed making China 'a responsible stakeholder'.
8. Also, John G. Ikenberry, 'The rise of China and the future of the West: can the liberal system survive?' Foreign Affairs 87, 1 (2007), pp. 23-37.
9. Alastair I. Johnston, 'Is China a status-quo power', International Security 27, 4 (2003), pp. 5-56.
10. For a discussion of mercantilism, see Jonathan Holslag, 'China's new mercantilism in central Africa', African and Asian Studies 5, 2 (2006), pp. 133-69.
11. For a historical background: Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations (Oxford University Press, Oxford, [1776] 2008), Book IV, pp. 275-88.
12. Benjamin Cohen, International Political Economy (Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 2008).
13. For a discussion: Daniel Large, 'China and the contradictions of non-interference in Sudan', Review of African Political Economy 35, 115 (2008), pp. 93-106.
14. Bates Gill and James Reilly, 'The tenuous hold of China Inc in Africa', The Washington Quarterly 30, 3 (2007), pp. 37-52.
15. Press Release, SC/7107, 17 July 2001.
16. 'La Chine accorde 3 milliards de francs CFA à la Centrafrique', Agence France-Presse (AFP), 23 August 2004.
17. He was invited in June 2004, with the visit following in May 2005.
18. UN Comtrade HS4403, with China as reporter.
19. 'Rencontre entre le Président centrafricain François Bozizé et le Ministre des Affaires étrangères Li Zhaoxing', Xinhua, 6 June 2007.
20. 'La Chine s'engage à renforcer sa coopération avec la Mauritanie', Xinhua, 8 January 2009.
21. 'Zhongguo yu Maota jingmao hezuo gaikuang' [Overview of the economic and trade cooperation between China and Mauritania], Economic Counsellor Office in Mauritania, 20 June 2010.
22. A long description of ZTE's activities can be found in Le Quotidien de Nouakchott, 30 December 2010, p. 4.
23. 'Mauritania, China launch Nouakchott port project', Xinhua, 26 September 2010.
24. 'Nouveau port minéralier: le casse-tête chinois à la SNIM', Le Quotidien Nouakchott, 26 April 2010.
25. UN Comtrade, HS 2601, tonnages, with China as reporter.
26. In 2008 an interim management committee took over the management of the Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinee from Alcoa. The government rescinded Rio's licence to exploit the Simandou iron mine.
27. A non-binding accord to acquire a 44.65 percent share - an investment of US$1.4 billion - of the project.
28. 'China flirts again with Chinalco', Sydney Morning Herald, 27 October 2009.
29. 'Chinalco raises $21 billion loan for Rio deal', Mining Journal, 27 March 2009.
30. 'Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu's Regular Press Conference', 15 October 2009, (14 April 2011).
31. Tom Burgis, 'CIF to fund $2.7bn Bellzone Guinea project', Financial Times, 24 May 2010.
32. 'Dotation de matériels anti-émeute', All Africa, 20 February 2009.
33. 'Zhongguo Shuichan Zonggongsi shouguo Madajiasijia yuye gongsi' [China National Fisheries Corporation to acquire fishing rights in Madagascar], African Business Network, 25 December 2009.
34. Didier Rambelo, 'Foire COTTM de Beijing: une percée sur le marché touristique chinois', Midi Madagasikara, 18 May 2010.
35. 'Inauguration de l'Institut Confucius', La Vérité, 14 November 2009.
36. 'Madajiasijia zhuhua dashi dao fang Zhongguo Youse Kuangye Jituan' [Ambassador of Madagascar to visit China Non-Ferrous Metal Group], Baidu media agency, 7 January 2010.
37. 'Zhongguo xiang Madajiasijia juanzeng jiuzaiwuzi' [China donated relief supplies to Madagascar], Liberation Army Daily, 13 December 2009.
38. 'La société chinoise Sunpec envisage de construire une raffinerie à Madagascar', Xinhua, 6 May 2010.
39. Madagascar Chromium, Madagascar Copper Group, Madagascar New Mineral Development, and Madagascar Non Ferrous Resources.
40. Zhang Qi, 'Wuhan Steel gets green light for Africa ventures', China Daily, 25 May 2010.
41. 'Madagascar: un deuxième chèque de 50 millions de dollars remis par un groupe sidérurgique chinois', Chine Nouvelle, 17 June 2010.
42. Virginie Baudais and Grégory Chauzal, 'The 2010 coup d'état in Niger: a praetorian regulation of politics?' African Affairs 110, 439 (2011) pp. 295-304.
43. 'Niger: amélioration de la situation, les ressortissants chinois quittent l'ambassade', Xinhua, 23 February 2010.
44. 'China defends business operations in Niger', Global Times, 8 April 2010.
45. 'China to expand Niger operations', Financial Times, 21 May 2010.
46. Feng Feifei, 'Madajiasijia Hua shang zao xijie' [Chinese merchants looted in Madagascar], Qianjiang Evening News, 10 February 2009.
47. 'Ji buzhang shicha wo tiyuchang huo yiyuan xiangmu gong' [Several Ministers visited stadium and hospital construction projects], Economic Counsellor Office Conakry, 12 March 2010.
48. 'Madajiasijia nongyebu zhang wei wo yuan ma zajiao shuidao zhuanjia ji gaoji nongye zuanjia shouxun' [Madagascar Minister of Agriculture gives highest honour to specialist of hybrid rice agriculture project], Economic Counsellor Office, Antananarivo, 17 June 2010.
49. 'Nirier zhuangbei buzhang shicha wo yuan jian di er qiao xiangmu gongdi' [Niger Minister of Equipment inspected site of bridge reconstruction project], Economic Counsellor Office Niamey, 15 April 2010.
50. Forum on China-Africa Cooperation - Addis Ababa Action Plan, Paragraph 2.2.2.
51. 'CDB extends 80b yuan in credit to Wuhan Iron & Steel', Global Times, 8 September 2009.
52. Personal communication, mining consultant, London, 21 January 2011.
53. Personal communication, international mining company official, London, 21 January 2011.
54. Kam Hing International Holdings, 'About us', Kam Hing International webpage, (3 April 2011).
55. 'Cong haiwai guangxi shi ge hao dongxi dao qiaowu goanzuo san de dayoy zuowei' [From 'the overseas people relationship is a good thing' to 'overseas people can achieve a great deal of work'], China Business News Network, 1 March 2009.
56. The websites of embassies in those countries listed several events, networks, and projects with Chinese expats.
57. 'Yuan ji wuzi yijao' [Transfer of various aid materials], Economic Counsellor Office, Conakry, 15 June 2010.
58. Interview, Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, Beijing, 2 June 2010; interview, CFA official, Beijing, 1 June 2010.
59. 'Nirier tufa zhengbian Zhongguo shiguan quanli hu qiao wu jiren shangwang' [No casualties in Niger coup thanks to efforts of the Chinese Embassy in Niger to protect expats], Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 25 February 2010.
60. Interview, Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, Beijing, 2 June 2010.
61. 'Jineiya zhengbian juanchan gongsi kaifa weishou ying xiang' [Development of Chinese mining firm not affected by coup in Guinea], China Enterprise News Channel, 3 January 2009.
62. 'Nirier zhengbian dui Zhongguo goncheng renyuan he huaren yinxiang buda' [Coup in Niger has little impact on Chinese workers], Xinhua, 27 February 2010.
63. 'Zhenbian huo de Maolitaniya jushi' [The situation in Mauritania after the coup], People's Daily, 7 August 2008.
64. 'Maolitaniya fasheng junshi zhengbian hou jusi pinjing' [All quiet in Mauritania after the coup], Xinhua, 7 August 2008.
65. Bai Jingshan, 'Madajiasisjia zhengzi weiji duanqi nanyi huajie' [Difficult to predict an instant solution to the political crisis in Madagascar], Xinhua, 13 April 2009.
66. Interview, Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, Beijing, 2 June 2010; interview, Central Foreign Affairs Office official, Beijing, 1 June 2010; interview, MOFCOM official, Beijing, 3 June 2010; interview, expert, China Centre of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), Beijing, 1 June 2010.
67. Interview, Ministry of Commerce official, Beijing, 3 June 2010.
68. Interview, senior expert, Chinese think tank, Brussels, 5 May 2010.
69. Interview, Central Foreign Affairs Office official, Beijing, 1 June 2010.
70. Interview, Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, Beijing, 2 June 2010.
71. Duanfang Tao, 'Nirier: Hui kuai you diqi gongheguo ma' [Niger: There will be the Seventh Republic], China Daily, 23 February 2010.
72. 'Nirier zhengbian zongtong bei kouya jin bai huaqiao Huaren zan zhu Zhongguo Shiguan' [Niger coup: hundreds of Chinese temporarily evacuated in the Chinese Embassy], Xinhua, 20 February 2010.
73. 'Jineia, junshi zhengbian lianxiang beihou you xianxing yuanyin you yinxing yuanyin' [Unknown causes of the coup and chaos in Guinea], Sohu China News Report, 24 December 2008.
74. Interview, Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, Beijing, 2 June 2010.
75. For example: He Wenping, 'Minzhu yu Feizhou de zhengzhi fazhan [Democracy and political development in Africa], Xi Yia Feizhou [West Asia and Africa], January 2004.
76. Wang Yingying, 'Dui Feizhou minzhuhua de zhao sikao' [Rethinking democratization in Africa], Guoji Wenti Yanjiu [International studies], June 2002.
77. Li Anshan,'Feizhou minzhuhua yu guojia minzu jianggou de beilun' [The paradox of nation building and democracy in Africa], Shijie Minzu [World ethno-nationalistic studies], retrieved at Dr Li's blog, (14 April 2011).
78. Interview, Central Party School scholar, Beijing, 4 June 2010.
79. Zhao Zhuo Yun, 'Xi fangshi minzhu zai Feishou shuitubufu' [Western-style democracy not adapted to Africa], Xinhua, 8 May 2009.
80. Li Wentao, 'Juren gan zheng huichai: Feizhou daijie de zhengzi nanti' [Military interference with politics: a pressing political problem in Africa], Beijing Review, 31 March 2010.
81. Piao Yingji, 'Nirier zhengbian nengfou zhouchu Feizhou minzhu guaiquan?' [Can democracy get Niger out of the coup cycle?], China Report, March 2010.
82. 'Wo yi Meiyuan touzi Jineiya zao xifang dihui,' [West slanders US$100 million of investment in Guinea], Chongqing Chenbao [Chongqing Morning Post], 15 October 2009.
83. 'Guoji guancha zhengbian hou di Maolitaniya jushi' [International perspective: the situation in Mauritania after the coup], Renmin Ribao [People's Daily], 7 August 2008.
84. Interview, expert, China Development Institute, Beijing, 4 June 2010; interview, Central Foreign Affairs Office official, Beijing, 1 June 2010.
85. 'Guoji guancha zhengbian hou di Maolitaniya jushi' [International perspective: the situation in Mauritania after the coup], Renmin Ribao [People's Daily], 7 August 2008.
86. For example: 'Xifang gongji wo yuanzhu Feizhou wu wo yao gao xinzhiminzhuyi' [Western countries accused of pursuing neo-colonialism], Global Times, 22 June 2006.
87. Interview, Ministry of Commerce official, Beijing, 3 June 2010; interview, expert, CICIR, Beijing, 1 June 2010.
88. Li Xin, Lingling Qi, and Joel Wuthnow, 'The Beijing Consensus and China's multilateral diplomacy', draft paper, 2010.
89. Interview, Ministry of Commerce official, Beijing, 3 June 2010; interview, expert, CICIR, Beijing, 1 June 2010; interview, Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, Beijing, 2 June 2010.