South African Foreign Policy Too Much of a “Mess” For China to Exert Significant Influence Analyst Tells Sky News Australia

An interesting exchange took place on a recent episode of the Global Focus program on Sky News Australia where host Chris Pyne wanted to know from fellow Australian author and Africa scholar Jamie Miller whether China is exerting undue economic and political influence in South Africa. 

Not possible, explained Miller, simply because South Africa’s current state of affairs is too disorganized for anyone to exercise that kind of influence, much less an external actor like China:

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More
by Eric Olander

Most Read

1
Developing Countries’ Debt Servicing Costs to China Are Significant, but Nowhere Near as Much as Other Creditors
2 Chinese Military Fans Discuss Why Indonesia Bought Rafale Instead of J-10C
3
China, U.S. Ink Rare Earth Deal; More Trade Pacts Coming
4
Chinese-Moroccan Joint Venture Inaugurates EV Battery Parts Plant
5
Six Million Donkeys Slaughtered for Chinese Medicine: Charity
6
Rubio to Welcome Asian ‘Quad’ Back to Washington

You Might Like

University of Cape Town Professor Says Africans Need to Understand Why China Values Ties With the Continent

Professor Carlos Lopes from the University of Cape Town is challenging the widely-held perception that Africa is very important to China’s broader global economic agenda. Well, they’re wrong, he said ...

Africa’s Largest Publicly Traded Company Now Squarely in the U.S.-China Crossfire

The stock price of Africa’s largest and most valuable publicly traded company has been on a roller coaster ride since U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to ban Tencent-owned WeChat from U.S. app ...

Ramaphosa Again Holds Up China as a Development Model for South Africa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa referenced China as a model for South Africa to lessen its sky-high unemployment problem. Ramaphosa was addressing the country’s parliament in a follow-up debate to his annual State of ...

China’s Decision to Join Zambian Creditor Committee is Well Received Albeit With Some Skepticism

There was a wide range of reactions to China’s decision to become a member of a new Zambian creditors committee that will convene with the aim of restructuring the African country’s $17 billion ...

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.

More about CGSP