Research Articles (Centre for Chinese Studies)

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    China's economic hard landing impact on Africa : a scenario analysis
    (Stellenbosch University, Centre for Chinese Studies, 2016) Igbinoba, Emmanuel; Hoaeb, Rodney
    Shocks to aggregate commodity demand from China are having significant impact on global commodities and commodity prices. Fears persist that the economic slow-down in China might be steeper and more chaotic than anticipated and reported, as China rebalances its economy thus impacting on growth prospects across world economies. Using a scenario analysis technique, this study evaluates a risk scenario if economic growth in China falls to 4 per cent rather than the projected 6.5 per cent and its associated impact on African economies. The impact of China’s economic slowdown on African economies from an export perspective shows that there is an urgent need for African countries to undertake structural upgrading and diversifica-tion of different sectors of the economy with particular emphasis on agriculture in order to mitigate reduced demand from China.
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    A Chinese company’s investment strategy in South Africa: the case of Hisense
    (Gesellschaft fur Erdkunde zu Berlin, 2016) Kim, Yejoo
    Hisense, a Chinese home appliance manufacturer, entered South Africa’s TV market in 1996 and the company has since expanded its operations. Now Hisense is one of the major players in the TV market in South Africa. The company’s success can be measured through a mix of the four P’s of marketing: price, product, promotion and place (distribution). The successful combination of strategies helped Hisense penetrate South Africa’s TV market and acquire a growing market share. As a result, Hisense has contributed to export-led economic growth, technology transfer and job creation, among other development-related benefits to the host country. However, at the same time Hisense has faced challenges including problems with labour relations, e.g. poor working conditions and violations of minimum wage regulations. Most of these problems are recurring issues. This shows that overcoming these challenges is not an easy task for Chinese investors operating in South Africa or elsewhere in Africa, and questions remain regarding whether Chinese investment can contribute to fostering Africa’s industrialisation as well as China’s soft power.
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    Situating Somali piracy in Japanese security policy
    (Stellenbosch University, Centre for Chinese Studies, 2016) Attwell, Robert
    This paper examines Tokyo’s engagement with Somali piracy and discusses what it reveals about Japan’s overall security posture. I argue that Japan’s response to Somali piracy highlights the continued salience of domestic political processes and em-bedded anti-militarist norms in moulding Tokyo’s responses to emergent threats, of which piracy is a prime example. This is evidenced by the fact that the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), rather than the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF), is primarily responsible for Japan’s anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden. Additionally, I draw attention to the economic logic underpinning Japan’s approach to security and posit that the defence of sea lanes links maritime security issues to continued economic security to explain why combatting maritime piracy is important to Tokyo.
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    South Korea’s changing political environment and the impact on its Africa policy
    (Stellenbosch University, Centre for Chinese Studies, 2016) Kim, Yejoo
    While political and economic self-interest retains its primacy in South Korea’s foreign policy towards Africa, recent domestic constraints have negatively affected its Africa policy. This article sheds light on the subtle differences between Roh and Lee’s stances towards Africa on the one hand and that of Park on the other hand; whilst further looking at the origin of those differences by examining the political environment of the current administration. The deterioration of inter-Korean relations has led to South Korea’s returning to a foreign policy in which security is primary. Simultaneously, resource diplomacy has faced growing criticism from the public and has lost its legitimacy as a basis for engagement with the continent. These two processes have had an impact on the re-orientation of South Korea’s foreign policy towards Africa. Africa has, again, been placed at the periphery of South Korea’s foreign policy.