Beyond the New "Two Whateverisms": China´s Ties in Africa

Abstract

The exponential rise of Chinese activities in Africa over the last eight years has been accompanied by a rise in accusations that “China” is seeking to colonise Africa and/or is responsible for a whole host of issues and problems on the continent. Such commentaries have had the intriguing effect of manufacturing a new “two whateverisms” (liangge fanshi), this time built around crude binaries: whatever “China” does in Africa is immoral, and whatever others (either “the West” or African actors) do - or do not do - can be explained away, if not defended. This article argues for a more nuanced perspective on the prospects and issues that rising Chinese activities in Africa bring.