How China & U.S. Are "Complementary Rivals" in Africa

There is a persistent meme within the international media that China’s rise in Africa represents a “new scramble” for resources on the continent or a new form of colonialism. Beijing-based China-Africa analyst and attorney Kai Xue says contrary to this view, increased engagement of the Chinese and the US in Africa among other major powers actually offers tremendous benefits for Africans through increased trade and development. He argues the world two largest economies are “complementary rivals” on the continent whose interests don’t really overlap with one another.

Here is a link to Kai Xue’s opinion column “Great Power Competition Good for Emerging Continent” that was featured in China’s The Global Times newspaper on August 10, 2014.

About Kai Xue:

Kai Xue is a corporate lawyer based in Beijing who advises clients on investments in Africa and also works closely with China’s major policy banks like the Exim Bank and the China Development Bank. Kai Xue is also a regular commentator on Sino-African affairs in a number of Chinese and African newspapers and blogs.

Some of Kai Xue’s past China/Africa columns include:

• This is Africa: Rocky Road Ahead for China-Africa Relationship?
• South China Morning Post: For an Upside to Sino-Japanese Rivalry Look to Africa