AFRICA’S PERCEPTION OF CHINA: A DESCRIPTIVE DISCOURSE ON ITS DETERMINANTS

Abstract

Perception is critical to understanding the type of relationship existing between individuals, groups or states. This element, moulded by different factors, is in a continual flux, since how A perceives B today is liable to change tomorrow. This paper is primarily about the two of the factors that have moulded Africa’s perception of China in the past seven decades, namely history and soft power. The discussion of these two determinants exposes the perceptual shift that has occurred since the end of the Cold War. Africa’s perception of China has tangibly changed since the end of that credible nuclear threat-backed ideological rivalry. During that war Africa regarded China as a friend and ally. After all, China had supported its independence politically, morally and with arms. However, since the three decades when it ended, Africa has regarded China differently---both as a competitor and as a neocolonialist predator. This paper, sourced with secondary data, discusses China’s use of history and soft power in an effort to build a positive image for itself in Africa.