Rationale for the African Centre for the Study of China
China’s expanding political, diplomatic and economic ties with African nations presents a host of opportunities and challenges. It is imperative that African governments, and civil society understands the complex nature of this relations in order to make meaningful decisions. Besides questions concerning Africa’s sovereignty, effects on local economies and sustainability, brought up by the wave of Chinese investments, trade, and infrastructure projects around the continent have been raised.
A dedicated ACSC at the University of Nairobi (DDIS) would address these concerns and contribute to a more nuanced understanding of Africa-China relations.
- Need to create African-generated knowledge and more nuanced understanding of China as a nation and society to inform African thinking, actions and interactions in the context of political relations, economic and trade relations and cultural intersections, interactions and exchanges
- There is also an urgent need for Africans to turn a critical analytical focus on a country that is a major world power and which has been and is an important actor involved in Africa’s past, present and future
- New and relevant courses and postgraduate programmes to train a new generation of African students with a focused knowledge on China as a nation and a society will be beneficial to both parties.
- Need for an entity that links African scholars, researchers and students interested in the study of China, and a need to train Chinese students who are interested in the global influence of China from an African perspective.
- There is also a need for a resource and repository for specific forms of knowledge that inform policy-making processes in Africa and China through commissioned research.
- The Centre will also serve as an academic space for convening Africa- dialogues by different sectors, groups, movements, policy makers and governments, businesses and corporations, and sub-regional structures.
- The Centre will serve as a hub ofr Chinese scholars coming to Africa to better understand the dynamics of Africa – China relationships, interactions and connections.
- In addition, it will provide an ideal venue and space for briefings and induction programmes for Africans who are travelling to China on training or exchange programmes, and it will serve as a location for conducting induction and training programmes for African diplomats who will be posted to
- The Centre will create a space for returning African scholars, artists, academics, business leaders, diplomats and others to reflect, share and write about their experiences in China.