Russia and China: Understanding Global Leadership

Abstract

The article analyses the trade and economic policy of China. On the example of the cooperation with African countries, the author notes that China is a rapidly growing economy aspiring to global leadership. Analyzing the total Chinese-African trade turnover and direct Chinese investments into African economies, the author stresses both positive and negative sides of this process. From one side the presence of China in Africa means that Western countries now have a strong rival which is not willing to implant its values and lifestyles, rather it is constantly mainstreaming the economic dimension as the main focus of its presence on the continent. Yet on the other hand, direct Chinese investments into key sectors of African economies will cause an excessive dependency of African countries on the Chinese financial flows.