Engaging with China in Africa –Trilateral Cooperation as an Option?

By Sven Grimm, Director, Centre for Chinese Studies, Stellenbosch University

Policy brief No 9 - February 2011

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This brief looks into the rationale and practice of Chinese cooperation policy and how it relates to the practice of ‘Western’ development assistance. If DAC countries want to engage with China on Africa, as the EU-China partnership suggests, possibilities will have to be identified to cooperate for the benefit of global development across the ‘North-South’ distinction. Trilateral cooperation is often mentioned in this context – and this brief explores lessons from Rwanda.

Global economic weights are substantially shifting. With the emergence of new economies, the dual world view of developing and developed countries is increasingly questionable. Some developing countries have gained clout within the global economy and in global politics over the last years. Still home to a large number of poor people, these states have mustered up resources for domestic reform programmes and are increasingly powerful internationally. China and other emerging economies also engage in cooperation policy, often referred to as South-South Cooperation. Read the full publication