Shaping the Future of Power: Knowledge Production and Network-Building in China-Africa Relations

Lina Benabdallah
Wake Forest University

What is the role of social capital and network-building in China’s foreign policy in Africa? Many studies on China’s rising power tend to focus on military spending, infrastructure projects, and investments in natural resource extractions. Although these elements are important, they should not overshadow other essential types of investments, i.e. in human and social capital, that are central to the success of Chinese foreign policy in Africa. This study is an examination of China’s increasing investments in building powerful set of professional and personal networks formed through professionalization training programs, scholarships, and other exchanges sponsored by the Chinese government for African recipients. 

This talk is part of the yearlong China-Africa Lecture series presented by the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies with cosponsorship by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies.