Book Review
Book: Africa-China Relations: Ethiopia as a Case Study
Author: Melaku Mulualem
NUMBER OF PAGES 240
PUBLICATION DATE 2023
Melaku who is author of two books is a B.A, LL.M and M.A degree holder in history, International Law and International Relations respectively. He studied here in AAU, Amsterdam and China. He is well knowing for presenting research papers in International Relations on China-Africa relation.
“Africa-China Relations: Ethiopia as a Case Study” is a thought-provoking and insightful analysis of the evolving relationship between Africa and China, using Ethiopia as case study. It is a ground-breaking book as it provides fresh perspectives.
The book that shows the long historical relationships of China with Ethiopia and Africa at large was launched recently. The book has shown the earliest and recent Africa-China relations with a specific focus on Ethiopia.
There are numerous existing articles and book chapters on Ethiopia-China relations either overly academic or one-sided, written from a Western, Sino, or African perspective alone. Melaku’s book differs from all existing literature as it offers an eclectic perspective that is Sino, Afro, and Ethio-centric.
The book’s title appears to reflect Melaku’s attempt to address a problem among African scholars. Some argue that using the term “China-Africa” is not a precise terminology because it compares a continent with a sovereign state, leading to an unequal representation.
Moreover, methodologically speaking critical scholars suggest that studying China-Africa relations as a whole is not appropriate methodologically as it compares incomparable things, given the dissimilarities between the two, such as geography, population, and diversities of countries. It may also imply treating a sovereign nation on equal footing with an entire continent. They further argue that Africa is diverse, from north to south and from east to west, and cannot be studied as a single entity.
Instead, some scholars recommend studying China with individual African countries rather than studying China-Africa as a whole. This approach is based on the argument that each African country has unique features, particularities, and historical experiences that shape its relationship with China. Another controversy raised by scholars is the terminology used: whether it should be ‘China-Africa’ or ‘Africa-China’.
According to the book, changes come at a time when African leaders are looking for development partner other than the traditional west whose aid conditionality is observable. He also argues that the relationship between the two was based on mutual interests, working together to attain their respective national interests through cooperation, During these periods, as the author argues, China supported Africa in its bid for independence, poverty reduction, infrastructure connectivity, and Africa also supported China’s causes such as regaining its UN seal.
The book outlines the principles of China’s policy towards Africa, such as the principle of equality, non-intervention, win-win, solidarity, and cooperation, In these relations, China needs Africa and Africa needs China, where no one is a teacher but one learns from the other success. It is narrated as the poor helping the poor, with only one precondition of recognizing the one China policy. Guided by the Chinese general policy towards Africa discussed in chapter one, the author proceeds to chapter two, which covers Ethio-China relations from 1949 to 2022. He classifies Ethio-China relations into three eclectic perspectives.
Another interesting point in this chapter is the way the author narrated how the past shapes the future of Ethiopia-China relations. Both have been a victim of imperialism, China was invaded by Japan in 1931 and four years later Ethiopia was also invaded by Italy. Both countries have never gained justice from the existing international order anchored on the League of Nations. In these similar historical experiences, as the book presented, the success of the one has inspired the other. For instance, the victory of Ethiopia over Italy’s colonial project emancipated not only African countries but also Chinese too.
In 1937, Chairman Mao Zedong said that “learn from Ethiopia’s experience of fighting and resisting foreign invaders’. In the same way, Ethiopians particularly the 1960s student’s movement and the post-1991 EPRDF era were inspired by Chairman Mao Zedong thoughts and the CPC success respectively. During the EPERDF era the Ethio-China engagement characterized as politics of emulation, presenting Ethiopia as development affiliate of China.
That is imitation of the east development model the so called developmental state. Whatever the case, the relationship between China and Ethiopia has become even stronger since the 1990s due to changes in the political landscape of Ethiopia and China’s “going out” strategy.
Chapter three discusses Ethio-China strategic partnership. The relationship between the two countries that was formally established in the 1970 has reached to the level of comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Major cooperative areas as discussed in the book are space science technology, digital economy, health, education, infrastructure, trade, investment. One genuinely important point the author mentioned in this chapter is the trade imbalance between the two countries which is in favour of China. The western countries countering China policy is also identified as the major challenge for Ethio-China relations.
Chapter four and five discussed Africa-China journey on the Silk Road, and Africa-China relations during the Coronavirus pandemic respectively. The last two chapters focus on China-Africa relations in the 21st century, and political cooperation between Africa and China respectively.
The major departure and notable features of the book is its adopted methodology and perspective. Instead of relying on a single perspective, Melaku offers a synthesis of three perspectives – Sino-centric, Afro-centric, and Ethio-centric – which provides a balanced view of China-Ethiopia in particular, and China-Africa relations in general. The choice of Ethiopia as a case study is also methodologically appropriate as it offers a unique perspective to deconstruct Western scholarship that sees China’s rise in Africa as driven by resource exploitation.
By approaching Ethio-China relations from the three perspectives, the author critique Eurocentric Sino-African studies that present China-Africa relations as a form of neo-colonialism driven by resource exploitation and authoritarian affinities. Melaku argues that Ethiopia, lacking abundant resources like oil and gold, is a suitable case study to challenge the notion that China-Africa relations are driven solely by resource exploitation, and that China’s relations are limited to resource-rich countries like Angola. In contrast to the assertion by Eurocentric scholars, Ethiopia is the second-largest destination of Chinese development aid, and China is also the largest trading and investment partner of Ethiopia.
This highlights that China-Africa engagement is not driven by Chinese neo-colonial resource exploitation interest. Melaku further emphasizes that Ethiopia’s geopolitical position is strategically important for both China and Africa. Ethiopia serves as a diplomatic hub of Africa and a gateway to the continent. As a result, China sees Africa through Ethiopia, and African countries can see China through Ethiopia.
This was evidenced from the Author’s observation as he stated that “anything China does in Ethiopia will be known by the rest of the African countries”. For instance, when African leaders come to the AU Summit, they will arrive at Bole International airport, commence the summit at the AU headquarters, and travel through the ring roads of Addis Ababa, all constructed by Chinese contractors and funds. Therefore, Ethiopia’s geopolitical position is crucial for strengthening the strategic partnership between China and Africa.
Second, the book also offers a new perspective on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and challenged the dominant Eurocentric view on China-Africa relations, globalization and on BRI. The author argues that Globalization is not a 20th-century phenomena; it goes back to the ancient Silk Road. He argues that “the origin of globalization is the East, but the West is credited for the 20th-century model of globalization, which is now being challenged by many initiatives, including BRI”.
Viewing in this way, BRI is presented as project of renewal and revival, moving back to the globalization at the center of the east. BRI is a reversal project to the globalization anchored on the Western worldview, with the West at its core, making BRI’s core the East. Therefore, it is a project that claims past greatness, reconnects the past with the present, and reimagines the past. BRI is also narrated as a one step forward in globalization. It will speed up the globalization process and complete partial globalization. BRI is globalization for the benefit of the poor.
Thirdly, the author compares theoretical insights from democratic peace theory and argues that globalization from the West gives priority to democracy to maintain international peace and stability, while globalization from the East gives priority to economic interdependence to maintain international peace and development.
Since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and China 53 years ago, the two countries have always maintained a cordial bilateral relation which is consistent with supporting each other in regional and international issues. The two countries elevated their diplomatic ties to a Strategic Cooperative Partnership (CSCP) level in 2017, an uppermost form of relations heralding a new chapter of all- Comprehensive rounded strategic relation.
Ethiopia and China somehow share similar history in defending their sovereignty and independence from foreign aggression. The solidarity and support the Chinese Communist Party lent to the people and government of Ethiopia when Italian fascists invaded Ethiopia in the 1930’s and stage protests in several Chinese cities against the invasion will always remain a shining moment in the history of Ethio- China relations.
Moreover, after the establishment the People’s Republic of China, Ethiopia along with 26 independent African States supported China to take its rightful place in the UNSC. Ethiopia upholds the territorial integrity and unity of China and remained strong supporter of one China policy. The relation between Ethiopia and China is deep-rooted in history. They are enjoying excellent partnership in economic, political, cultural and people- to-people ties that takes us back to the ancient civilizations of the two countries.
BY NAOL GIRMA
The Ethiopian Herald July 27/2023
