Embracing the dragon : African policy responses for engaging China and enhancing regional integration

Abstract

Notwithstanding extensive analysis on the pros and cons of Chinese-African involvement, there has not been much in development of a collective African policy framework for economic engagement with China. This paper seeks to shift focus from the debate on the pros and cons of Chinese – Africa relations to arguing that time is auspicious for Africa to develop common policy measures to manage China and making provisional policy proposals on how to do that. The paper’s argument is twofold; first, an incipient African disenchantment over China [as outlined in the post-FOCAC 2009 AU report] provides a prod to coalesce an African ‘Chinese policy’ to manage China-Africa relations. Secondly, if widely adopted, an African ‘Chinese policy’ would not only refine a coordinated continental response to China but would also enhance consolidate regional convergence in key policy areas in Africa. This paper proposes pragmatic policies for embracing China – beyond praise or criticism.