Deneocoloniality in African-Chinese Relations

Africa with its sad legacy of colonialism remains in the periphery of the contemporary world system despite being the biggest producer of valuable commodities for the global market. The continent’s geopolitical and economic importance has been renewed by its growing relations with China, a relationship that has generated debates. This chapter examines the African-Chinese relationship and questions whether China is using its economic and political influence to establish a complex hegemonic and neocolonial web in Africa. At its beginning, an overview of how Chinese liberalization and globalization acts shape the neocolonial relationship that it shares with Africa is provided. The ongoing discourse points out that Chinese engagement in Africa is centered around unfair trade relations, diplomatic and strategic interest representing a form of neocolonialism by other means. The engagement, although it has facilitated economic growth, infrastructural development, increased trade and diplomatic relations, exploits African natural resources, creates economic dependence, manipulates the politics, degrades the environment, and creates a cultural hegemony, leaving the continent politically, economically and culturally vulnerable. This chapter proposes a deneocoloniality project that promotes an African development agenda that recognizes the sovereignty of the continent and centrality of its political structures and citizens to define and shape its future.