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China in Africa: Phoenix nests versus Special Economic Zones

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  • Thierry Pairault

    (CECMC-CCJ - Centre d'études sur la Chine moderne et contemporaine - CCJ (UMR8173) - Chine, Corée, Japon (UMR 8173) - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - UPD7 - Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CCJ (UMR8173) - Chine, Corée, Japon (UMR 8173) - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - UPD7 - Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

Many articles and studies introduce special economic zones (SEZ) as the solution that would boost Africa's development. In this Occasional Paper we will not discuss the accuracy of this vision. We will only ask whether the model of Overseas Economic and Commercial Cooperation Zones (OECCZ) that China is proposing to African countries – as well as those along the New Silk Roads – matches the definition of a SEZ as understood by Chinese researchers and commentators themselves. At this stage of our research, the most accurate answer could be Lin Yifu's for whom establishing an OECCZ is above all "building a nest to accommodate the Phoenix" [筑巢引凤 zhu chao yin feng] – i.e. China – without much consideration for the actual needs of the countries hosting these OECCZs.

Suggested Citation

  • Thierry Pairault, 2019. "China in Africa: Phoenix nests versus Special Economic Zones," Working Papers hal-01968812, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-01968812
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-01968812v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thomas Farole, 2011. "Special Economic Zones in Africa : Comparing Performance and Learning from Global Experience," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 2268, April.
    2. Thierry Pairault, 2017. "La Chine dans la mondialisation," Working Papers halshs-01542546, HAL.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ricardo Reboredo, 2021. "Disaggregating Development: A Critical Analysis of Sino-African Megaprojects," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 21(1), pages 86-104, April.
    2. Xiangming Chen, . "Change and continuity in special economic zones: a reassessment and lessons from China," UNCTAD Transnational Corporations Journal, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

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