African Conflicts in International Relations - China in Africa : Political or Economic interests ?

Abstract

China's involvement in Africa cannot be reduced to only one dimension. It would be an oversimplification to label the Chinese interests on the continent as either political or economic solely: these two aspects often constitute two faces of the same coin.
China's increasing engagement in Africa - the diversification of its diplomatic contacts, of its energy and mineral supplies, of its markets and investments - is just the illustration of how any power in the international system acts when it recognizes high potential. The problem is, however, that by reaffirming the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of states in the name of sovereignty and conducting business as usual, China is able to advance its interests in ways that the Western nations can only envy.