Professional Documents
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Kerstin Kamby, Forest Products Trade Between China and Africa Available online at http://www.foresttrends.org/documents/files/doc_515.pdf (Accessed 5 August 2015).
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The bulk of Chinas small arms are supplied to Sudan, D.R. Congo, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Chad.
Amnesty International, DR Congo: Arms supplies Fuelling Unlawful Killings and Rape
Available Online at https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2012/06/dr-congo-arms-supplies-fuelling-unlawful-killings-andrape/ (Accessed 2 August, 2015).
4 Foreign Policy in Focus, China, America, and a New Cold War in Africa? Available Online at http://fpif.org/chinanamerica-new-cold-war-africa/ (Accessed 2 August, 2015).
5 Eric Olander et al., Chinas Expanding Military Presence in Africa Available Online at
http://www.chinafile.com/library/china-africa-project/chinas-expanding-military-presence-africa (Accessed 1 August 2015).
6 France was involved in Mali and Central African Republic, and the US has intervened in Niger.
7 AFRICOM stands for United States Africa Command.
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rebels attempt to overthrow the government.8 Thus, leaders in the region may still see in the US or France a
reliable backer in times of security needs, and may thus refrain from hurting the interests of either state.
Rising competition between the three powersChina, France and the USpresents an opportunity for Central
African countries. China is emerging as a reliable partner in times of economic needs, and, due to its policy of nostrings attached, has become an alternative to the West. However, this will damage prospects for accountability,
and democratic and human rights reforms, which the international community has been working hard to promote.
6. Conclusion
Chinas presence in Central Africa and the rest of the continent has increased over the last decade. The emerging
superpower has proclaimed a policy of non-interference and non-intervention, but its ability to exert soft power on
the region should not be undermined. In turn, regional leaders seem to have found a reliable alternative to the
West and international financial institutions, due to Chinas indifference to political situations in their countries.
Yet, this comes at a cost. Respective governments in the region may lack the incentive to implement meaningful
reforms, including good governance, democracy, and rule of law. Without these values, Chinas investment may
be at risk, and the majority of local populations may not reap the benefits of its growing investment in their countries.
Chinas rising economy and its continued presence in Central Africa will eventually result in an end of the Wests
monopoly in the region since the end of the cold war. Due to its veto power, China provides regional leaders
especially those with difficult relationships with the international communitya shield in the UN Security Council.
However, Chinas unwillingness to exert hard power on this volatile region means that the balance of power is still
in favour of the US and France, who also maintain vast business interests there. China must also do more to
improve its investment practices in the region, so as to avoid competition from other rising powers, such as India
and Brazil.
Global Research, War in Africa: Countering Chinas Influence. French Military oversees Power-sharing Deal with US in
Central African Republic Available online at http://www.globalresearch.ca/war-in-africa-countering-chinas-influence-frenchmilitary-oversees-power-sharing-deal-with-us-in-central-african-republic/5321235 (Accessed 2 August, 2015).
9 Africa Practice, The Impact of the Chinese Presence in Africa Available Online at
http://www.davidandassociates.co.uk/davidandblog/newwork/China_in_Africa_5.pdf (Accessed 2 August, 2015).
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