RIJKSINTERN - China in Africa - Confronting Complexity
The China Knowledge Network (CKN), in collaboration with the Sub-Saharan Africa Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken), recently hosted a thematic session titled "China in Africa - Confronting Complexity." This event organized by The Clingendael Institute and LeidenAsiaCentre brought together experts and policymakers engaged in understanding the complex dynamics of China-Africa relations.
𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
- Dr. Hangwei Li of the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) explored the strategic developments in China's approach to Africa.
- Dr. Stacey Links from the African Studies Centre at Universiteit Leiden provided an in-depth analysis of the real impacts and perceptions in China-Africa relations.
- Prof. Dr. Haroon Sheikh of the the Scientific Council on Government Policy (WRR - Wetenschappelijke Raad voor het Regeringsbeleid) discussed the strategic governance of global technologies and its relevance to China and Africa.
The event concluded with engaging panel discussions and Q&A Sessions moderated by Floris Harm (LeidenAsiaCentre) and Raoul Bunskoek (The Clingendael Institute). The discussions covered the challenges and opportunities presented by sector-dependent dynamics and media influences in China-Africa relations.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬:
▪ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚: Acknowledging Africa’s growing independence and its implications for relations with Europe.
▪ 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚’𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: Moving beyond the conventional narratives to understand what China truly offers in its partnerships in Africa.
▪ 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐔 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐬: How Europe can adapt its strategies in response to evolving geopolitical challenges.
▪ 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬: The presented report highlighted the fragmenting world order, stressing that policy makers should open their eyes to the complexity of international relations and deal with uncomfortable questions involving the public.
LeidenAsiaCentre
The aim of the LeidenAsiaCentre is to generate academic knowledge on modern East Asia that can find societal applications in the Netherlands. The LeidenAsiaCentre focuses primarily on East Asia: China (including Taiwan), Japan, Korea and Singapore, but is expanding its focus to include South and Southeast Asia, notably India and the Indo-Pacific. As an independent NGO by Dutch law, the LeidenAsiaCentre identifies topics related to social-economic and political developments within Asia that are of relevance for the Netherlands and Europe at large.
