South Africas changing foreign policy in a multi-polar world - the influence of China and other emerging powers
Date
2015-09
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University. Centre for Chinese Studies
Abstract
In recent years, critics of the South African government have accused it of increasingly abandoning its commitments to human rights and democracy in its international engagements. In addition to this being viewed as a turn toward an ‘African agenda’, the growing geopolitical influence of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) grouping has also been attributed to this perceived shift. As South Africa’s largest trading partner, China in particular has been singled out as exerting influence on relations with other countries. This mini-report discusses certain evidence related to this shift, including South Africa’s engagement with issues of human rights as well as its relationship with China. South Africa’s changing behaviour needs to be grasped within the context of broader geopolitical shifts and how a shared experience of colonialism unifies these new partners.
Description
CITATION: Anthony, R., Tembe, P. & Gull, O. 2014. South Africa's changing foreign policy in a multi-polar world - the influence of China and other emerging powers. Centre for Chinese Studies. Research Report, September 15
The original publication is available at: http://www.ccs.org.za/?cat=22
The original publication is available at: http://www.ccs.org.za/?cat=22
Keywords
South Africa -- Foreign Policy -- China, South Africa -- Foreign relations, South Africa -- Interantional relations -- BRICS, Human rights -- South Africa