Study On Sino-African Economic Relationship And China’s Image In Africa

In the1990s, motivated by China’s "going out" strategy, a large number of Chinese companies began operations in Africa for investment purposes. Since the year2000, boosted by the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China and African countries have deepened economic and trade relations at breakneck speed. Through China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, China portrays a "responsible power" image to the African people. China contributes to African development, while also promoting China’s national interests. But because Africa was traditionally within the Western sphere of influence and due to the pull of rich natural resources on the continent, Western countries have increased their competition with China in Africa, and some media distort China’s image in Africa. In this context, I analyze the correlation between Sino-African economic relationships with China’s image in Africa.This thesis first reviews history of the economic and trade relationship between China and African countries, and then introduces the current state of Sino-African economic and trade relations. Because of the rapid development of Sino-African economic and trade relations, a large number of Chinese people go to Africa. This thesis examines the presence of Chinese people in the Africa through case study analysis, and further analyses China’s image in Africa from both Western and domestic Chinese perspectives, capturing African attitudes toward China through the results of global public opinion polls carried out by Western polling institutions. African attitudes toward China are better than those of other countries in the world. Based on this analysis, the African image of China is one of a sincere old friend of Africa, and a partner based on mutual benefit and reciprocity, as well as China not only as a responsible power but also China as a "responsible power" for creative change in Africa. Then through both empirical study and theoretical analysis, this thesis concludes with these core ideas:Sino-African economic relationships and China’s image in Africa are significantly correlated; both are important unifying parts of China’s national interest—they supplement each other, promote each other, and restrain each other. Finally, this thesis further discusses how to promote Sino-African economic cooperation and consolidate China’s image of a responsible power. Against the backdrop of China’s peaceful rise, Sino-African economic cooperation and China’s image are closely linked. As a responsible power, China should take on more international responsibility through the expansion of economic relations.