This book examines Sino-African relations with a focus on China’s active role in fostering economic and infrastructural development in Africa. It discusses the neo-colonialist implications of this relationship and the consequences for both sides.

Part I: Early Contacts and Connections Chapter 1: Premier Zhou Enlai’s Excursions to Africa Chapter 2: The Policy Framework of Sino-African Relations from the Chinese Perspective: A Review of Selected policy papers and agreements Chapter 3: Jamie Monson and the Historiography of China-Africa Relations: Focus on the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Chapter 4: Alliance Systems Redefined: Towards an Explanation of China’s Hands-Off Approach to African Politics Chapter 5: The Belt and Road Initiative in Africa: But What Kind of Developmental Power Does China Have? Part II: New-Imperialism or a New World Order Chapter 6: China in Africa: The Fifth Wave of Conquest and Plunder? Chapter 7: Changing Africa-China Relations: Colonialism or Partnership? Chapter 8: Chinese and African Economic Relations: A New World Order or A New Form of Colonialism? Chapter 9: China’s Cultural Rapprochement: The Uses of Soft Power as a Form of Building Alliances in Africa Chapter 10: Politics and Governance: China’s hands-off approach to African politics Part III: China’s Regional Footprints Chapter 11: Reporting the Dragon: A Thematic Study of Anti-Chinese Sentiments in ‘China in Africa’ News Coverage Chapter 12: Chinese Economic Development Projects in Zimbabwe Chapter 13: The March of the Red Dragon: The Geographic Footprints of Chinese Presence in Africa Chapter 14: China: Africa’s new Wise Men from the East? An Analysis of Africa’s Non-State and State Actors’ Perceptions of China and the Chinese Chapter 15: Chinese Investments in Africa: ‘Chopsticks Mercantilism’ Conclusion: The Chinese and a Continent Made Fragile by Its Leaders