South Africa–China Relations

In South Africa-China Relations: Between Aspiration and Reality in a New Global Order, Phiwokuhle Mnyandu analyzes South Africa-China relations in the context of South Africa’s quest to reduce unemployment and transform its economy to ensure lasting social stability. Mnyandu uses trade patterns, analyses of governmental organizations and initiatives, and other socio-economic data to determine the extent to which developmental change or stasis has taken place as relations between South Africa and China have deepened. Tracing South Africa’s changing attitudes and policies towards China’s involvement, the impact of programs involving commodities trades on unemployment, and the prospective outcomes of an endogenous developmental policy, Mnyandu concludes by proposing a quadri-linear model as a tool for more comprehensive analyses of China’s relations not only with South Africa, but other African countries as well to avoid di-information on Africa-China issues.

In the growing sub-field of China--Africa studies, few monographs have focused on bilateral ties between a single African country and China. Phiwokuhle Mnyandu's new book begins to fill this gap with an ambitious work that begins with South Africa's ties to dynastic China and a long period of what he calls "attenuated ties" during South Africa's colonial and apartheid periods. The remaining five chapters focus on the growing "love affair" between Pretoria and Beijing, Pretoria's version of a "Look East" policy," and an analysis of South Africa's prospects of successfully become a developmental state modeled on and assisted by China. As more and more scholars focus on African agency vis-à-vis their relationships with China, Mnyandu offers an honest, detailed examination of the myriad challenges facing the South African state in its efforts to make the most of their strategic ties with China.--Yoon Jung Park, Georgetown University and executive director of the Chinese in Africa/Africans in China Research Network, A timely examination of dynamics that shape the relationship between China and Africa with particular reference to South Africa. It is a must-read for those seeking new insights into this epochal relationship.--Siphamandla Zondi, University of Johannesburg, China and South Africa have formed comprehensive strategic partnership, yet there are few studies on the history of the bilateral relations. This work comes up at the right time. South Africa has played a very important role in the South-South cooperation as a regional power and member of BRICS. Phiwokuhle Mnyandu has explored the bilateral relations of South Africa and China and exchanged ideas with scholars of both sides, thus providing us with this solid work with field research and theoretical approach combined. It will serve as an excellent guide to anyone interested in China-South Africa relations.--LI Anshan, Peking University

Phiwokuhle Mnyandu holds joint teaching positions in the Department of African Studies and the Department of World Languages and Culture at Howard University.

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