Towards Trilateral Cooperation - EU and China in Africa: partners or rivals?
Author
Ionescu-Gabor, Raluca Stefania
Term
4. term
Publication year
2020
Submitted on
2020-05-29
Abstract
This thesis examines, against the backdrop of the European Commission’s December 2019 pledge for a more ambitious and comprehensive partnership with Africa, the extent to which China’s growing engagement in Africa has shaped the EU’s approach. Using neoliberal institutionalism—which emphasizes cooperation, complex interdependence, absolute gains, and the role of international institutions—the study conducts a qualitative content analysis of six key EU policy documents on EU–Africa, EU–China, and prospective EU–China–Africa trilateral cooperation. A historical review of China–Africa, EU–Africa, and EU–China relations contextualizes development and trade dynamics, including China’s “no strings attached” model and the EU’s tradition of conditional aid. The analysis indicates that the EU seeks to address China’s rising global influence without confrontation by deepening economic interdependence and cooperation. The conclusion is that the EU is adjusting its Africa policy to better align with African priorities effectively met by China and that its interests are best served by pursuing a formalized trilateral cooperation framework among the EU, Africa, and China.
Denne afhandling undersøger, i lyset af EU-Kommissionens udmelding i december 2019 om en mere ambitiøs og omfattende strategisk partnerskab med Afrika, i hvilken grad Kinas voksende engagement i Afrika har påvirket EU’s tilgang. Med udgangspunkt i neoliberal institutionalisme – en teoriramme der betoner samarbejde, indbyrdes afhængighed, absolutte gevinster og betydningen af internationale institutioner – gennemfører studiet en kvalitativ indholdsanalysen af seks centrale EU-dokumenter om EU-Afrika, EU-Kina og mulige trepartsformater mellem EU, Kina og Afrika. En historisk gennemgang af Kina–Afrika, EU–Afrika og EU–Kina relationerne sætter udviklings- og handelspolitiske dynamikker i perspektiv, herunder Kinas model med “ingen betingelser” og EU’s tradition for betinget udviklingsbistand. Analysen peger på, at EU søger at håndtere Kinas stigende globale indflydelse uden konfrontation ved at styrke økonomisk indbyrdes afhængighed og samarbejde. Konklusionen er, at EU er i færd med at justere sin Afrika-politik ved i højere grad at imødekomme afrikanske prioriteter, som Kina effektivt har adresseret, og at EU’s interesser bedst varetages ved at tilstræbe en formaliseret trilateral samarbejdsramme mellem EU, Afrika og Kina.
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