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China’s Engagement in African Security Affairs in the Post-Cold War Era



Author(s)

Xiaohong Xu

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DOI:10.17265/2328-2134/2017.07.003

China has become an increasingly important player across the African continent since the end of the Cold War. Given the scale and breadth of its political and economic involvement in Africa, some Western scholars claim that China’s “return to Africa” has been one of the most important developments the region has witnessed in the past two decades. One phenomenon worthy of particular attention is that, other than strengthening economic ties with African states, China has been playing a more active role in helping promote peace and stability on the continent. In other words, Sino-African coordination on security-related issues has been intensified since the end of the Cold War. What kind of role has China been playing or sought to play in this area? What factors have motivated China to engage more actively in African security affairs? And are there any challenges Beijing has to face when pursuing common security interests with its African counterparts? Seeking to provide preliminary answers to these questions, this article mainly investigates China’s increasing role in promoting peace and safeguarding security in Africa.

China-Africa security affairs, Sino-African relations, post-Cold War