China and Canada in Africa ― Interest, Strategies and African Perspectives

Fundamental questions about the engagement of China and Canada in Africa continue to attract significant scholarly attention. This book contributes to these discussions by exploring key issues and debunking some of the myths and generalizations pertaining to the ways in which both China and Canada have engaged, and are engaging, countries on the African continent. This volume has five main objectives: 1) To introduce scholars and students of international relations (IR) and related fields to pertinent issues connected to the China-Africa-Canada nexus; 2) To advance the readers’ understanding of the non-monolithic character of the actors and stakeholders operating in Canada, China and Africa; 3) To debunk myths and generalizations about China’s resurgence in Africa that obscure, or lag behind, the realities and the nuances with respect to Sino-African relations; 4) To highlight positive shifts in China’s engagement with Africa, while at the same time pointing out persistent asymmetries in the relationship; 5) To get beyond impressionistic, too often simplistic, outdated and dismissive images of Africa, and search for complementarities and new prospective models of cooperation between Canada and China as they engage with Africa. This volume looks at to what degree and in what way does the Canada-China engagement in Africa help to advance Canadian and Chinese interests while at the same time helping to add value in Africa’s pursuit of its own goals and objectives