Centre for Chinese Studies

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https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/20894
The Centre for Chinese Studies (CCS) at Stellenbosch University is the leading African research institution for innovative & policy relevant analysis of the relations between China and Africa.

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Browsing Centre for Chinese Studies by browse.metadata.type "Working Paper"

Now showing 1 - 10 of 10
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    The China-African Development Fund (CADFund) as a sovereign wealth fund for Africa’s development
    (Stellenbosch University, Centre for Chinese Studies, 2013-07) Grimm, Sven; Schickerling, Elizabeth
    The China-Africa Development Fund (CADFund) forms part of the Chinese government’s practical implementation, for some of its plans and objectives, for the African continent. CADFund was established as part of the eight measures announced by then Chinese President Hu Jintao, at the 2006 Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation (FOCAC). While operating according to market principles, the Fund is an economic and diplomatic tool of the Chinese government to encourage Chinese enterprises’ investments in African countries. Chinese investments might boost African economies; yet, there is no automaticity in developmental effects. CADFund’s operations as a sovereign wealth fund can be compared to other such funds in the African context. This policy brief elaborates on the setting and policy of CADFund, specifically in comparison to Norfund, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund for investments in developing countries, which also has a development vocation. The policy brief concludes with recommendations for change.
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    China’s role in the East African oil and gas sector : a new model of engagement
    (Stellenbosch University, Centre for Chinese Studies, 2012-08) Anthony, Ross
    The oil and gas bonanza currently underway in East African looks set to alter the broader economic and geopolitical landscape of the region. As China continues its quest for energy security, East Africa is becoming an increasingly important region. Both Chinese state and non-state companies have gained a foot-hold in Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Kenya, where they are involved in both upstream and downstream activities. The Chinese presence, while significant, is off-set by a host of Euro-American, Middle Eastern and other Asian companies also involved in exploiting the region’s energy reserves. Infrastructural underdevelopment in the region is forcing Chinese companies to engage on the continent in new ways including the rise of joint Chinese-Euro-American ventures. This trend, in which China and its partners own financial stakes in infrastructure projects located in geo-politically unstable regions, will have future implications regarding security and national sovereignty within the region.
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    Chinese-led special economic zones in Africa : problems on the road to success
    (Stellenbosch University, Centre for Chinese Studies, 2013-03) Yejoo, Kim
    The success of Chinese-led SEZs in Africa is important to both the Chinese government and the host governments. Even though these zones are operating under market conditions, the role of both sides in creating effective institutional arrangement for SEZs is crucial. The Chinese-led SEZ programme was initiated in 2006 and 2007, and was intended to be implemented before 2009. Even though the Chinese government and host governments showed their willingness to push forward SEZ programmes vigorously, most of them have not materialised yet. Most of the SEZs have been under construction and are not yet operating. This paper first provides the brief background of the establishment of SEZs in Africa, then the focus moves to stakeholders involved in the programme. Finally, the paper explores the current situations and navigates the role of the host governments to make the SEZs work. To help the Chinese-led SEZs in Africa to become successful, the host governments must remain actively involved in the SEZs, because their support is more significant than any other aspect. Furthermore, they should provide consistent policies and effective incentives for the investors. On the other hand, the host governments should impose firm requirements in terms of technology transfer and basic working conditions so that their countries can reap the benefits of Chinese investment.
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    Climate change in China : risks and responses
    (Stellenbosch University. Centre for Chinese Studies, 2012-11) Esterhuyse, Harrie
    Extreme weather events are forecast to become more frequent, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, as the global climate continues to alter. Even with uncertainty in this future, countries are able to prepare themselves for the future risks by implementing adaption and mitigation strategies. This policy brief looks at China’s risk to future extreme weather events and the Chinese policy response. Overall, and despite gaps in some areas, the Chinese policies contain some adequate responses; yet, implementation remains a major challenge, as reactions to recent droughts in northern and southern China illustrate.
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    FOCAC : addressing joint environmental challenges?
    (Stellenbosch University. Centre for Chinese Studies, 2012-05) Burgess, Meryl; Esterhuyse, Harrie
    Cooperation on environmental challenges has been an instrumental part of the first Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) since its inception in 2000. With increasing levels of economic interactions and political cooperation, environmental concerns have become increasingly important. This policy brief examines the state of environmental cooperation in FOCAC in the light of emerging challenges. It specifically explores issues related to biodiversity, the challenge of combatting desertification and the need to address water scarcity in both China and Africa. All three of these issues are having adverse effects on development prospects, not least on food security. A cross-cutting dimension to consider for the discussion of future challenges is the effect of climate change. From the assessment of common or different challenges, this briefing makes suggestions for future topics in China-Africa relations.
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    FOCAC : trade, investments and aid in China-Africa relations
    (Centre for Chinese Studies, Stellenbosch University, 2012-05) Cisse, Daouda
    Under the label of South-South cooperation in the era of economic globalization, China has shown great interest in Africa. In 2000, to formalise bilateral engagement, minimise the discourses sur-rounding China’s relations with Africa and to strengthen Sino-African cooperation, Chinese and Afri-can leaders have established the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC/中非合作论坛). This was announced as the basis of a strategic partnership in the new millennium between China and Africa. To develop economic cooperation and trade ties is the centrepiece of the setting up of the forum. Since the late 1990s/early 2000 through China’s “go out” policy, Sino-African trade has experienced unprecedented growth. From a mere US$ 2 billion in 1999, Sino-African trade has now reached US$ 160 billion, making China a leading trade partner for Africa. China’s economic cooperation with Africa is also fuelled by investments and aid.
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    The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) - Political rationale and functioning
    (Centre for Chinese Studies, Stellenbosch University, 2012-05) Grimm, Sven
    The 5th Forum for China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing in July 2012. The Forum, established for the first time in October 2000 in Beijing, constitutes a platform for African and Chi-nese policymakers to enhance China’s relations with African countries. The years since 2000 have seen growing political, economic and diplomatic interests in China-Africa relations, attracting global attention toward China’s engagement in Africa. This has led to increasing analysis, research and studies which seek to better understand Sino-African partnerships and cooperation. FOCAC has deep-ened China-Africa’s relations in various fields: politics, economics, investments, trade, south-south cooperation and aid; etc. For Chinese and African officials, FOCAC constitutes a multilateral platform to evaluate the achievements and discuss the perspectives of Sino-African relations. This paper ex-plores the political partnership element of FOCAC and looks into the workings of the institutions.
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    South-South migration and trade : African traders in China
    (Stellenbosch University, Centre for Chinese Studies, 2013-06) Daouda, Cisse
    China-Africa relations are mainly driven by economic co-operation, underpinned by trade, investment and aid. The growing economic interests and business ties between China and Africa come along with movement of people; hence Africans in China and Chinese in Africa seeking trade opportunities not only at the macro- but also at the micro-level. This paper explores the various types of traders from Africa operating in China and thereby gives some insights on their role in China-Africa trade and provides some recommendations to Chinese authorities in engaging with this new quality of globalisation. Since the establishment of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2000, China-Africa trade volume has rapidly increased, reaching more than US$ 200 billion in 2012. Market openness, shifts in trade patterns leading to trade liberalisation in China and Africa and China’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), in December 2001, have contributed to boosting Sino-African trade volumes. Besides the big picture of ever increasing trade volumes, the relationship is driven by individuals on both sides, including African traders in China.
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    South-South migration and trade : Chinese traders in Senegal
    (Stellenbosch University, Centre for Chinese Studies, 2013-06) Daouda, Cisse
    With a growing South-South co-operation framework in the world political economy in general (and the co-operation between Africa and emerging powers in particular), global trade patterns are increasingly changing. Economic interests regarding trade and investments between Asian, African and Latin American countries follow this scope. These shifts alongside macro-economic factors have implications on global migration patterns. New destinations with great economic interests related to fast economic growth, modernisation and industrialisation have emerged and attracted international migrants. These migrants mostly move between regions in the south, seeking work or business related opportunities beyond the borders of their respective countries. This policy brief explores the patterns and challenges of Chinese small traders’ activities in Senegal.
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    Strategic partnerships and sustainable investments : how can China support the African Mining Vision
    (Stellenbosch University, Centre for Chinese Studies, 2013-05) Cristelle, Maurin
    China’s appetite for resources is set to increase as the country pursue its development path with demand potentially shifting towards a range of minerals and metals that sustain the leadership’s ambition for a greener and high-tech economy. Chinese foreign direct investments (FDI) in the resource sector have soared since the mid-2000s in parallel to its increased dependency on overseas resources. As a result of booming resource markets, Africa, among other resource-rich regions, has benefitted from a surge in global FDI flows including from China. In this context, the African Union formalised its resource -based development and industrialisation strategy embodied in the African Mining Vision (2009). The initiative is supported by international and bilateral development agencies but thus far has not echoed into China’s Africa policy discourses and cooperation frameworks. While the conundrum of extractive industries and sustainable development has been highlighted in the FOCAC Declarations, China’s formal commitment to sustaining the objective of the continent’s mining reform agenda has not yet come explicitly engrained into official channels of cooperation. This policy briefing explores the opportunities for China to engage formally with its African counterparts, and endorse the ideal and objectives of the African Mining Vision by supporting its implementation.