China Monitor 2010

The Emerging Politics of the Emerging Powers: The BRICs and the Global South

Issue 52 – June 2010

The China Monitor for June 2010 explores the role of the BRICs and their significance for the Global South, particularly the African continent.

The Commentary piece outlines the main features of the BRICs. In a short commentary, Prof Timothy Shaw of the Institute for International Relations at the University of the West Indies poses the question whether the BRICs have the potential to act as a cohesive unit (as a bloc) and what this could imply for international politics and economics.

In the Policy Watch, an analysis is offered of the relations between two major constituents of the BRICs edifice – China and Latin America. Prof Lilliana Avendãno Miranda of the International Business Faculty at Verucruzana University in Mexico reviews the shifting ties between China and Latin American countries and discusses their implications.

The Monitor subsequently tracks China’s local and international business news as well as China’s interaction with Africa over the past month.

Download PDF – China Monitor – Issue 52 – June 2010

Oil & Diplomacy in the Maghreb Region

Issue 51 – May 2010

The China Monitor for May 2010 examines the evolving relations between China and North African states.

The Commentary piece is by Khalid Hilal, an independent consultant from Morocco. He examines the historical and contemporary relations between China and three North African states: Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.

The Policy Watch piece is by Gys Hough, a junior research analyst at the Centre for Chinese Studies , Stellenbosch University. His piece explores the relations between China and Libya with a particular focus on the oil extraction industry in the latter.

The Monitor subsequently tracks China’s local and international business news as well as China’s interaction with Africa over the past month.

Download PDF – China Monitor – Issue 51 – May 2010

Infrastructural Partnerships in Economic Development: Development from the Ground Up?

Issue 50 – April 2010

The China Monitor for April 2010 examines the relatively low levels of infrastructural development in Africa as an obstacle to economic growth.

The Commentary piece is by Suzanne van Keulen, a post-graduate student at the Graduate School for Social Sciences in Amsterdam. She provides an overview of China’s public and private investments in infrastructure in Tanzania, investigating some of the consequences these have had for economic development in that country.

The Policy Watch piece is by Sanne Mars-van der Lugt, a Research Analyst at the Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University. Her piece explores the role of Chinese investment in infrastructural projects in promoting regional integration and contributing to economic growth in Africa.

The Monitor subsequently tracks China’s local and international business news as well as China’s interaction with Africa over the past month.

Download PDF – China Monitor – Issue 50 – April 2010


New Avenues for Sino-African Partnership & Cooperation – China & African Regional Organisations

Issue 49 – March 2010

The China Monitor for March 2010 examines the emerging relationship between China and African Regional Organisations

The Policy Watch piece is by Professor Garth Shelton, Director of the East Asia Project at Wits University, Johannesburg and member of the Department of International Relations there. His piece examines the emerging relationships between the PRC and African regional organisations both with a historical eye and also with a view of the infrastructural development projects undertaken in respective regions with Chinese partnership.

The Commentary piece is by Sara Van Hoeymissen, a PhD Candidate at the University of Leuven in Belgium and a visiting scholar at the CCS. She reflects on China’s support for Africa’s regional security architecture, especially as the relationship between the Asian giant and African regional organisations deepens and the need for international intervention in African regional conflicts draws debate.

The Monitor subsequently tracks China’s local and international business news as well as China’s interaction with Africa over the past month.

Download PDF – China Monitor – Issue 49 – March 2010

Back on the Road? Chinese prospects following the Global Economic Crisis

Issue 48 – February 2010

The China Monitor for February 2010 follows up on Issue 41 of June 2009 in examining China’s prospects as the Global Economic Recession subsides.

The Commentary piece is by George Lo, Head of the East Asia Division at First National Bank. He reflects on China’s role in helping alleviate recessionary pressures in Asian and international markets and ponders the opportunities the Asian upswing may offer Africa.

The Policy Watch piece is by Matthew McDonald, Research Analyst at the Centre for Chinese Studies, Stellenbosch University. His piece examines the role and effect of the US$586 billion stimulus package applied by the Chinese government since the end of 2008 in helping the Asian giant bolster its economic position in the face of global recession

The Monitor subsequently tracks China’s local and international business news as well as China’s interaction with Africa over the past month.

Download PDF – China Monitor – Issue 48– February 2010