• Christine Hackenesch
• Julia Bader

Pragmatic, Strategic and Wide-Reaching: The CCP’s Party Diplomacy in Africa

This policy brief analyses recent patterns and motives of China’s party diplomacy in Africa. It finds that the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP-ID) maintains close ties with the main ruling parties in some countries in the South and East of the continent as well as a broad range of parties in countries in North Africa. 

doi:10.18449/2024MTA-PB29

• Zum Volltext (PDF) | 483 KB

• Hangwei Li
• Christine Hackenesch

FOCAC 2024: Moving Away from Large Infrastructure Deals towards Normative Power of China

• Deutsch

The FOCAC Beijing Action Plan (2025–2027) outlines concrete targets for China–Africa relations. What are the latest trends shaping this partnership, and how might they impact Europe’s cooperation with Africa?

• Karoline Eickhoff
• Paul Bochtler
• Hesbon Hansen Owilla

Communicating Strategically about What? Europe and China in the Kenyan Media

European actors are increasingly relying on strategic communication tools in their external relations, especially in key partner countries like Kenya. Based on a large-scale media screening and interviews with media experts, this paper examines which issues related to the EU/Europe and China have received the most media coverage in Kenya over the past decade (2013–2023). The paper finds, among other things, that European actors involved in communication efforts increasingly need to communicate about the EU’s role in global affairs and the impact of European decisions, products, and standards on African markets, without resorting to a “West versus China” framing.

doi:10.18449/2024MTA-PB27

• Zum Volltext (PDF) | 827 KB

Ahead of the FOCAC 2024: How to Deal with China in Africa?

• Deutsch

In the run-up to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) 2024, many eyes are on China's growing influence in Africa. “What is the European dilemma in dealing with China in Africa?” asks Karoline Eickhoff in this Spotlight, which offers suggestions for dealing with competitive dynamics.

Chinese Media Engagement with Africa and the Role of African Agency

This policy brief delves into China's strategic media engagement across Africa, revealing a dynamic interplay of state and private efforts aimed at reshaping narratives and boosting China's influence. It emphasises the pivotal role of economic and regulatory landscapes, suggesting the necessity of fostering African media independence to safeguard against authoritarian tendencies.

doi:10.18449/2024MTA-PB26

• Zum Volltext (PDF) | 256 KB

• Daouda Cissé
• Karoline Eickhoff
• Julia Fath
• Christine Hackenesch
• Rainer Thiele

China's Footprint in Africa

African countries share deep economic, political, and social ties with China. To better understand Beijing’s activities and impact, we need more robust empirical data. Future research should strengthen the link between empirical data and theoretical debates on status, power, and influence.

doi:10.18449/2023MTA-WP05

• Zum Volltext (PDF) | 611 KB

China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the East African Community. Shaping a China-Centric Regional Order

China is reorganising the spatial order in the East African Community through influencing key stakeholders. By heavily investing in regional connectivity projects via the BRI, Beijing promotes an alternative idea of development – one that is favourable to a Chinese-centric order in the region.

doi:10.18449/2023MTA-PB12

• Zum Volltext (PDF) | 268 KB