China and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area: What Role For Beijing?

The January launch of the AfCFTA has prompted considerable reflection in both China and Africa as to what role Beijing can play in this new free trade era and whether China’s role will be harmful or helpful. 

Predictably, Chinese commentators are more upbeat than African observers, who are seemingly still trying to figure out if China will take advantage of the new tariff-free zone to benefit themselves far more than Africans.

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