China’s Political Economy in Africa in the Context of Global Politics: Examples of Nigeria, Angola, Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Due to the increasing population and economic prosperity worldwide, reliance on energy resources has reached fairly high levels. In 2040, the energy demand is projected to increase by 37%. However, the energy sources discovered in the world face the risk of not being able to meet the increasing demand. China, which has a giant population of 1.3 billion, and the world’s fastest growing economy with 13.457 trillion $ of GNP, has been the most affected country in this situation. Within this context, China has made various attempts to maintain its economic growth and to ensure the continuity and security of the energy trade. China invests in alternative energy sources and carries out close economic relations with the African continent, which has many undiscovered reserves in terms of natural resources. Over the past two decades, China has provided large amounts of direct investment, technical assistance, grants, zero-interest loans, and concessional loans to Africa.  Although the Chinese investments make a great contribution to the economic growth of African countries, due to the privileges that China  gain in return, the economies of these countries are becoming dependent on China. This study aims to explain the change in the economic relations between China and Africa and the level reached today and contribute to a better understanding of the political economy in Africa through China’s trade relations with Nigeria, Angola, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Keywords

• China
• Africa
• Energy Resources
• Trade relations
• Economy Politics

Küresel İlişkiler Bağlamında Çin’in Afrika’daki Ekonomi Politiği: Nijerya, Angola, Sudan ve Demokratik Kongo Cumhuriyeti Örnekleri

Abstract

Dünya çapında giderek artan nüfus ve ekonomik refah sebebiyle enerji kaynaklarına bağımlılık oldukça yüksek seviyelere ulaşmıştır. 2040 yılında enerjiye olan talebin %37 oranında artacağı öngörülmektedir. Ancak dünyada keşfedilen enerji kaynakları, artan talebi karşılayamama riski ile karşı karşıyadır. 1,3 milyarlık dev nüfusu, 13.457 trilyon $’lık GSMH’sı ile dünyanın en hızlı büyüyen ekonomisi olan Çin, bu durumdan en fazla etkilenen ülke konumundadır. Bu kapsamda Çin, ekonomik büyümesini sürdürebilmek, enerji ticaretinin sürekliliğini ve güvenliğini sağlayabilmek için çeşitli girişimlerde bulunmaktadır. Alternatif enerji kaynaklarına yatırımlar yapmakta ve doğal kaynak yönünden keşfedilmemiş birçok rezerve sahip olan Afrika kıtası ile yakın ekonomik ilişkiler yürütmektedir. Son yirmi yılda Çin, Afrika’ya büyük miktarda doğrudan yatırım, teknik yardım, hibe, sıfır faizli kredi ve imtiyazlı krediler sağlamıştır. Kuşkusuz, kıtadaki Çin yatırımları Afrika ülkelerinin ekonomik büyümelerine büyük katkı sağlıyor olsa da bu yatırımlar karşılığında sağlanan imtiyazlar nedeniyle Afrika ülkeleri ekonomik açıdan gün geçtikçe Çin'e daha bağımlı hale gelmektedirler. Bu çalışma, Çin ve Afrika ekonomik ilişkilerinde yaşanan değişimi ve günümüzde ulaştığı seviyeyi açıklamayı ve Çin’in Nijerya, Angola, Sudan ve Demokratik Kongo Cumhuriyeti ticari ilişkileri üzerinden Afrika'daki ekonomi politiğinin daha iyi anlaşılmasına katkı sağlamayı amaçlamaktadır.

Keywords

• Çin
• Afrika
• Enerji Kaynakları
• Ticari İlişkiler

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