Contents

Ⅰ　Main Report

1　China’s Soft Power Building in Africa：Challenges and Way Forward【He Wenping】／001

Abstract: The rapid development and the“growing pain”in China-Africa relations have generated the urgency and importance of“soft power”building in Africa.Due to the deep-rooted western culture, language, religious and political value influence in Africa by the long term colonial rule, plus lack of investment in the above areas by the Chinese government during the past, the pattern of“the West is stronger than us”is hard to turn round within short time.At present, there are many challenges facing for China’s soft power building in Africa, such as the double public opinion challenges both from“the Western criticism”and“the African concerns”, the lack of mutual understanding and communication between African and Chinese, as well as“China’s voices”are hardly heard in Africa, etc.To promote China’s soft power building in Africa is a gradual and a long process of moistening things silently.There are at least six areas works needs to be done: first, in terms of policy and guiding principles, we should always uphold the principles of equal and mutual benefit, win-win cooperation with Africa, correct handling of the relationship between“justice and profit”when we are moving into the upgraded China-Africa relations; second, cultivate and ram the new political consensus and base for China-Africa relations, to use“Chinese opportunity theory”replace so-called“Chinese new Colonialism”; third, increase the humanitarian assistance and aid for improving people’s livelihood in Africa; fourth, the right of discourse construction and soft power building need to identify the emphasis and entry points for“telling good Chinese story”; fifth, to give a full play of the role of both traditional and new media, to portray the Chinese image in an active way; sixth, to further improve the quality of running the Confucius Institutes, and promote the cultural exchange between China and Africa by using the Confucius Institutes as a platform.

Keywords: China；Africa；Soft Power Building；Challenges；Way Forward

Ⅱ　Special Report

2　China’s Culture Diffusion to Africa: Current Situation and Challenges Ahead【Wu Chuanhua】／029

Abstract: In today’s world, big powers attach more and more importance to culture diffusion and soft power competition in Africa.With great efforts, the subjects of China’s culture diffusion to Africa are becoming larger and larger, channels are getting wider and wider, capacity is growing stronger and stronger, mechanism is more and more mature, content is becoming richer and richer, form is more and more diverse, effect is more and more obvious.Meanwhile, China’s culture diffusion to Africa still faces a series of difficulties and challenges.The culture influence and soft power of China in Africa is still weak.In future, China should try to realize localization and normalization of culture diffusion to Africa, actively promote culture trade and cooperation with Africa, speed up the construction of China Culture Centre in Africa, and prevent the West from maliciously exaggerating the so-called “cultural colonialism”.

Keywords: China;Africa; Culture Infusion; Soft Power

3　Chinese Media and China’s Soft Power Construction in Africa【Li Wengang】／045

Abstract: In the early 1990s, American scholar Joseph Nye first put forward the term of soft power.Since then, soft power, which is based on foreign policy, culture and value, became the main component of one country’s comprehensive strength and international competition.When soft power theory enters Chinese official discourse, how to boost China’s soft power becomes a state strategy.Africa is an important forefront where China can upgrade soft power, in which state-led media has been playing remarkable role.From the very beginning, Xinhua News Agency, China Radio International, China Central TV, People’s Daily, and China Daily dominate China’s propaganda to Africa for friendship and solidarity among Third World countries.With the rapid development of China-Africa relations, especially since the establishment of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Chinese media quickens the African strategy, with many branches set up in various African countries and China-Africa media exchange and cooperation booming.In so doing, Chinese media enhances their international discourse power, safeguards China’s image, spreads Chinese culture, and provides easy and fast platform for China-Africa friendship.However, owing to Western media’s long dominance over international discourse power, Chinese media faces many challenges.In order to get rid of the awkwardness of being represented by Western media, Chinese media should try its best to realize their African strategy, strengthen exchange and cooperation with their African counterparts, and influence international public opinion with objective and reliable coverage.Besides, Chinese private companies make remarkable contributions to Africa’s internet and digital radio and TV.They can play special role in China’s soft power construction in Africa.

Keywords: China State-led Media; Soft Power; Africa; China-Africa Relations

4　Chinese News Media-based Soft Power in Africa: Strengths, Challenges and Opportunities

　　【Bob Wekesa】／062

Abstract: With the recent rapid rise of Chinese media in Africa, China is now attaching more importance to the building of media-based soft power on the continent.By comparison with its Western and African counterparts, Chinese media has been featured by many advantages which have been providing valuable resources for China’s soft-power building in Africa.Meanwhile, the current operation mode of Chinese media has also witniessed various shortcomings which in turn would emerge as main obstacles for its further development.Upon selecting samples of Chinese media, this paper is dedicate to discuss the strength, achivements and challenges of Chinese media in Africa and come out with practical recommendations, so as to guaranttee the sustainable development of China’s media-based soft power building in Africa.

Keywords: China in Africa; Media-based Soft Power; Strength; Challenge; Opportunity

5　The Chinese Medical Team and China’s Soft Power Construction in Africa【Guo Jia】／076

Abstract: The Chinese Medical Team in Africa is an integral part of China’s soft power in Africa, as well as the most effective project of China’s soft power construction in Africa. It has played a role that should not be ignored in promoting China - Africa friendly relations, in building the responsible image of China, as well as in disseminating Chinese traditional cultures. However, in recent years, with the changes of internal and international circumstances, the Chinese Medical Team has faced with some problems or challenges in its dispatch, medical care and the mode of medical aid in Africa, which not only restrict the development of the China-Africa medical cooperation, but also affect the effectiveness of the Chinese Medical Team as the carrier of China’s soft power construction in Africa. Analyzing from the trend, it is necessary to incorporate the Chinese Medical Team into the whole strategy of China-Africa medical cooperation, and to explore the new measures from the strategic height of China’s soft power construction in Africa. By means of a number of measures, such as flexibility aid mode, diversification aid content and variety of aid actors, make the Chinese Medical Team play a greater role in China’s soft power construction in Africa.

Keywords: China；Africa；the Chinese Medical Team in Africa；Soft Power

6　China’s Soft Power and Confucius Institutes in Africa【Falk Hartig】／094

Abstract: Cultural deplomacy is one of the most important instrument to realize the soft power of one country.In the increasing foreign aid of China to African countries, the funding for culture and education accounts for a substantial percentage, and the Confucius Institutes play accordingly an important role which becomes an indispensable element in the cooperation mechanism, such as the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).When the lack of research tradition of sinology in Africa is further taken into consideration, the Confucius Institutes in Africa are going to be of more meaning in comparison to other regions in the world.With little difference in their activities to the Confucius Institutes in other regions, there is no reality of the so called“brainwashing”tendency from the Confucius Institutes by the Chinese government.When facing the problems in lack of teaching staff, material and responsiveness to the local need, in order to take full advantage of the unique function of the Confucius Institutes for the realization of the soft power of China, the quantity of the Confucius Institutes should be decreased to some degree, which will enhance their quality.

Keywords: Confucius Institute; Cultural Diplomacy; Soft Power; Sino-Africa Relationship

7　Think Tank Building in Sino-Africa Relations: Functions, Challenges and Solutions

　　【Zhang Hongming】／111

Abstract: The current international competition is a contest among countries on both the hard power and the soft power.The soft power, which is composed by a variety of elements, is values and thinking in essence.Since think tanks play a significant role of“thinking enterprises”to process“thinking products”, top decision makers in China have made up their mind to upgrade the“think tank building with Chinese characteristics”to the national strategic level, making it an important component of the soft power of China.Having obtained considerable Achievements, Chinese think tank researches on Africa embraced an unprecedented opportunity of rapid development in recent years.However, it is incapable to satisfy various practical demands due to its current Achievements still lag far behind the rapid development of Sino-Africa relations.Problems from the“macro-environment”such as political system, the backward research management mechanism of research institutes, and scholars’deflection in understanding or their inability in research skills are among the main reasons that give rise to this situation.Additionally, bureaucratic barriers of relevant governmental organs such as nonfeasance or misconducts should also be held accountable.Frankly speaking, being frustrated by obstacles and difficulties which domestic research institutes are unable to properly handle in a short time, the current development and future outlook of Chinese think tank building and researches on Africa are far from being optimistic.Even for domestic research institutes, their own chronic defects are severe challenges yet to be dealt with.The ideal Chinese think tank researches on Africa should play the multiple roles of“a lookout”to support China to“go inside Africa”and to focus on changes of internal and external environment regarding its activities in Africa;“an adviser”on China’s presence and interest in Africa;“a designer”on China’s strategy and tactics regarding Africa and its international relations with African countries; and“a watchdog”to guarantee a healthy, stable and sustainable development of Sino-Africa cooperation relations.

Keywords: Sino-Africa Relations; Think Tank Researches; Soft Power

Ⅲ　Regional Situation

8 　The Restructure of Geopolitics and Safety Evaluation【Li Wentao, Wang Lei】／143

Abstract: The impact of the big change in North Africa and Sudan’s separation in 2011 on African geopolitics looms up.The trend that North Africa as a whole “out of Africa, return to the Middle East” is increasing.As a traditional power, Egypt’s political influence on Africa has fallen dramatically, while East Africa as a whole rises in general, and Ethiopia in particular.African geopolitics sees unprecedented adjustment after the Cold War.Geopolitical changes profoundly affected African security situation, while the overall stabilization still hides a lot of concerns.Firstly, in terms of political security, western democracy encountered difficulties in Africa, the vast majority of African countries are still in the stage of “hypocritical democracy”, they failed to explore the right democracy which accords with their own situation.Secondly, with the outbreak of Ebola and the spread of terrorism, non-traditional security has become the leading regional threat across borders, which highlights African countries’governance deficit.Thirdly, African strategic value was found again, the economic recovery in America and Europe is strong, so their intervention in African security also increases.

Keywords: Geopolitics; Democratic Dilemma; Non-traditional Security; Big Power’s Intervention

9　African Economy Maintains Solid Growth in the Face of Headwinds【Li Zhibiao】／155

Abstract: African economy continued its steady growth in 2014 in the face of headwinds such as outbreak of Ebola epidemic and drop of oil price, and accompanied by easing inflation across the continent, with fiscal and current-account deficit widening further.The negative impact of Ebola epidemic on African economy might be more serious than evaluations of most experts.Oil-price drop had both negative and positive influence on African economy.The end of QE by the US had fewer effects on most African countries.The major downside risks and uncertainties for Africa’s economic situations in 2015 and 2016 may include the rapid expanding of terrorist groups in West, North and East Africa, sudden outbreak of political and social turbulences, diffusing of Ebola phobia, as well as the outlook of oil price and China’s economic growth performance.

Keywords: African Economy; Ebola Epidemic; Oil-price Drop; Outlook

10　Differentiation of Great Powers’Africa Policy and Implications for China-Africa

　　Relationship【Zhang Chun】／174

Abstract: Behind the surface of heating competitions in Africa, the underlying structure of great powers’ influences in Africa almost keeps the same: economic interest distribution structure has not been fundamentally changed even intensifying competitions, the creation, enhancing and updating of cooperation mechanisms with Africa helping consolidate such an interest distribution structure, and deepening engagement in African peace and security functioning as means for promoting such a structure.It is important to note that there is a trend of differentiation of great powers’ Africa policy.Two factors drive such a movement: on one hand, the comparative advantages among great powers are becoming clearer due to the global financial and economic crisis, on the other hand, there is a trend of Mosaicization of African development, especially the peace and development issues.The differentiation of great powers’ Africa policy implies a trend of diversification and transformation of Africa policy of international community, which provides significant for trilateral cooperation in Africa for China.

Keywords: International Relations in Africa; Great Powers’ Policy towards Africa; Sino-Africa Relations

Ⅳ　Academic Frontier

11　The Current Periodical Features of African Party Politics and Its Influence on Sino-Africa

　　Party Relations【Zhong Weiyun】／190

Abstract: After more than 20 years of running, the party politics in African continent has developed from a period of stormy revolutionary to a period of relatively stable development.The outstanding features of the current period are the reduction of the number of political party, the decreasing of political turmoil incurred by party struggle, the desalination of party’s ideology.The game rule of party politics has also underwent changes.In the meantime, African countries have demonstrated different trends in the dispensations of party strength, the role of party in national power structure and national development.These new developments of party politics in Africa has produced profound influence in the way the Communist Party of China conducting exchanges with African political parties.The CPC adjusted its policy and focus to African political parties timely according to its principles guiding party to party relations.

Keywords: Africa；Party Politics；National Power Structure；Party Relations between China and Africa

12　Structural Changes and Prospects of Economic Development in Africa【Piao Yingji】／206

Abstract: By rapid economic growth and vibrant reforms, Africa has been the focus of worldwide attention since 2000.As a result, a series of structural changes benefiting future economic transformation have been achieved, including diversifying economic growth engines, rapid urbanization and enlarged middle class, improving business environment and better social development indicators.However, these developments have not achieved substantial economic structural transformation and inclusive growth so far.Economic development in Africa still faces daunting challenges.To this end,African countries have committed to economic structural transformation as the core of their future development strategy,while China and other foreign investors may play a positive role in this process.

Keywords: Africa; Economic Development; Structural Transformation; Foreign Investment

13　The New Trends of Western Neo-interventionism and China’s Response【Yuan Wu】／218

Abstract: Comparing with Humanitarian Intervention, there are some new trends for Western Neo-interventionism.One of the most important trends is that Western Neo-interventionism seeks validity and legitimacy of the military interventions.However, it’s the same as power politics in essence, which aims at defending the Western values and the International Order dominated by the Western countries.Western military intervention in African countries has bad influence on African political situations and ecology, which affects the development of Sino-Africa relationship, either.In response to Western Interventionism, China should participate in the formulation of new international paradigm, support African countries’peace operations, and communicate with the Western countries in African peace and security issues.

Keywords: Western Neo-interventionism; Military Intervention; Africa; China; Sino-Africa Relationship

14　Changes of African National Boundaries and China’s Response Measures【Deng Yanting】／229

Abstract: Since Eritrea and South Sudan gained their independence respectively in 1993 and 2001, the principle of respecting the existing African national boundaries has become a hot topic for public attention.Considering the current situation, regional secessionist forces within some African countries would possibly become one of the main threats that challenge this principle.Changes of African national boundaries are caused by a variety of factors both inside and outside Africa, and have given rise to a wide range of noticeable influences.With the rapid development of Sino-Africa relations, it is likely that possible changes of African national boundaries would become an unavoidable topic for China in upcoming years.

Keywords: Principle of Respecting Existing National Boundaries; Eritrea; South Sudan; Regional Secessionism; Sino-Africa Relations

Ⅴ　Hot Spot Issues

15　A Review and Outlook on the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation【Zhou Pingjian】／240

Abstract: Through out its 15 years of development，the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has gradually evolved into a solid platform upon which comprehensive Sino-Africa cooperation has been carried out.As the 6th ministerial conference of the FOCAC get underway in the second half of 2015 in South Africa，a review on Sino-Africa cooperation in different fields since its establishment especially since its 5th ministerial conference would positively promote the understanding of Achievements made by Sino-Africa relations in recent years.Meanwhile，it would also be an important parameter for the outlook on how to optimize and refine Sino-Africa cooperation within the framework of the FOCAC in upcoming years.

Keywords: FOCAC；Review；Outlook

16　Transformation and Upgrading：Evolution and Prospects of China-Africa Economic and

　　Trade Cooperation【Hao Rui】／246

Abstract: Since the initiation of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2000，the economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa has achieved a vigorous increase.However，some structural problems are emerging from the development process.External challenges and risks are also on the rise.Today Africa is entering into a new development stage，featured with urgent need for industrialization and related infrastructure，and huge demand for foreign investment，while “Going Global” has risen high on China’s agenda，under the new strategy of “Comprehensively deepening reform”. As a result，the cooperation in terms of investment is going to be the priority and focus of the Sino-African economic relations for the next decades.Expanding investment in Africa，which helps forge a China-Africa “community of shared destiny”，is proved to be the effective method of connecting Africa with China’s new development strategy.Efforts should be made，especially in improving policies and coordination，to push forward the transformation and upgrading of the China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.

Keywords: China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation；Transformation and Upgrading；Prospects

17　The Status and Prospects of Triangular Development Cooperation in China's Aid to Africa

　　【Tang Jun, Zhang Chunyu】／262

Abstract: As one modality of international development cooperation, in recently years, while attracting more and more attentions, Triangular Development Cooperation (TDC) has gradually become one of the most important initiatives in the field of international development cooperation.With sporadic cooperation with a few international organizations and developed countries, China’s participation in TDC is still in preliminary and exploratory stage.Generally speaking, with cooperation programs which are limited in number of cases as well as scale, field, and forms of cooperation, China has held a comparatively prudent attitude towards TDC.In the overall background of international and national development of TDC, TDC has emerged as one of China’s new practices of aid to Africa.TDC has diversified the means of China’s aid to Africa, instilled new vigor into the aid, and hence become important focus for the aid.As a result, it has been an important subject under discussion to clarify what China should do to push forward TDC in aid to Africa healthily and effectively.With international and national development of TDC as the background, this paper analyzes the proceedings of TDC in China’s aid to Africa, and gives further policy suggestions for development of the aid in the future.

Keywords: Aid to Africa; Triangular Development Cooperation (TDC); South-South Cooperation; South-North Cooperation

Ⅵ　Market Assessment

18　Africa’s Foreign Trade【Liang Ming, Liu Chang】／274

Abstract: In 2013，Africa’s foreign trade gets MYM 1230.71 billion with the year on year growth rate dropped significantly，dropped 8.74 percentage point and dropped to -1.89%.This is the second drop of Africa’s trade since 2008’s world financial crisis.Africa’s export dropped more significantly,dropped 11.10 percentage point and dropped to -5.83%.The prospect of Africa foreign trade is not very optimistic.From the perspective of commodity structure of Africa’s export，its share of oil and raw material gets dropped and its share of manufactured goods get rose.In 2014，China-Africa’s trade gets a new high of MYM 221.83 billion with a year on year growth of 5.5%.But the prospect of China’s import from Africa is not very optimistic.In 2014，China’s import value from Africa get a second drop since 2008.Look forward to the future，Africa’s foreign trade is still full of uncertainties，or continue to decline.China-Africa trade is expected to hit a record new high，but the growth rate will not be very high.

Keywords: Africa；China；Foreign Trade

19　Foreign Direct Investment of African Countries【Xu Qiang】／290

Abstract: The FDI-inflow scale firstly increased and then decreased during 2013-2014.The FDI towards the Africa illustrated some new trends during recent years：the ratio of intra-Africa FDI increased and promoted regional integration mutually；the consuming-orient FDI increased more rapidly；the projects on IT innovation appeared frequently；the international investors set foot in the agricultural product development.The Scale of direct investment from China to Africa increased rapidly，but it concentrated in few industries；Small and Medium Enterprises are new forces carrying FDI in Africa.To deepen and expand the Sino-Africa investment relationship，Chinese government and enterprises should make efforts in the new FDI fields relating to consuming product，agricultural R& D，IT innovation，new energy.

Keywords: Industry Structure；New Trends；R& D Investment；Developm ent Prospects

20　International Official Development Assistance to Africa【Cao Jinli】／300

Abstract: Despite the ongoing financial crisis and the European sovereign debt crisis，official development assistance (ODA) rebounded to record high in 2013.Specifically，ODA to Africa increased slightly than the previous year.Although the region maintains sustained economic growth，it is unlikely to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.There still has a significant space for the region to realize sustainable development.The region is facing more challenging external environment than ever before，the global economic recovery being slow，Ebola epidemic situation being still serious，climate change risks rising，food security，shortage of ODA，etc.In the future，ODA is still the largest source of external financing for the African countries.The donor countries should not only fulfill their commitments to increase the ODA，but also mobilize more resources to finance the development.All the participants should pay more special attention to ending the poverty，focusing on infrastructure construction and collaborate together to help realize “Africa’s Agenda 2063”.

Keywords: Ebola Epidemic；Sustainable Development；Ending the Poverty；Infrastructure

21　Contraction Market in Africa【Jin Rui】／316

Abstract: Infrastructure construction is an important part of the construction industry in Africa，a number of cross-border infrastructure projects launched to promote the further prosperity of the African construction market.Chinese enterprises rely on government support，pay attention to fulfill the social responsibility of the host country，in 2014, the scale of contracted projects to Africa continued to grow steadily, the amount of foreign contracted projects achieved a historic breakthrough. Looking to the future，the African construction market opportunities than challenges，energy，rail transportation，housing and other areas full of business opportunities.

Keywords: Africa；Construction Market；Infrastructure

Ⅶ　Documentation

22　Review of African Studies in China in 2014【Cheng Hong】／327

23　Chronology of Africa in 2014【Zhao Ping】／343

24　Economic  Indicators of  African  Countries in 2014【An Chunying】／354