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International Relations of the Asia-Pacific Advance Access originally published online on June 4, 2008
International Relations of the Asia-Pacific 2008 8(3):325-352; doi:10.1093/irap/lcn007
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© The author [2008]. Published by Oxford University Press in association with the Japan Association of International Relations; all rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

This article appears in the following International Relations of the Asia-Pacific issue: SPECIAL ISSUE: Research outcomes from the AsiaBarometer project [View the issue table of contents]

Commerce and prudence: revising China's evolving Africa policy

Jonathan Holslag

Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels Institute for Contemporary China Studies, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels 1050, Belgium
Email: jholslag{at}vub.ac.be

This paper evaluates the extent to which China adapted its Africa policy to external criticism and expectations. It is found that policy modifications mainly occurred when long-term interests were at risk, with regard to issues of limited importance and non-binding initiatives. The article departs from the vast literature on adaptation and tests this concept on several aspects of China's engagement in Africa. This approach not only allows us to revise the PRC's changing Africa policy but also permits to contribute to the debate whether China is a status quo or revisionist power. In this regard, it turns out that China's ostensible compliance with the demands of other actors is designed to give leeway to its revisionist aspirations.

Received for publication December 11, 2007. Accepted for publication May 1, 2008.


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