The geopolitical strategy of China in Africa: When the dragon meets the leopard: The case of DRC

Details

Supervisors

Struye de Swielande, Tanguy

Faculty

Faculté des sciences économiques, sociales, politiques et de communication

Degree label

Master [120] en sciences politiques, orientation relations internationales, à finalité spécialisée: diplomatie et résolution des conflits

Abstract

enThis thesis aims to identify the motives and the means used by the People’s Republic of China to integrate the Democratic Republic of Congo into its geopolitical ambitions. It highlights the importance of critical minerals, present in abundance in the Congolese underground, for the ongoing growth and development of China and how those crucial Chinese national interests pushed for Sino-Congolese partnership through the Sicomines agreement and the integration of DR Congo in the BRI. This paper also describes the Chinese soft power tools and their repercussion through “win-win” cooperation and principle of non-interference. This thesis also discusses the main criticisms regarding China’s interactions with DR Congo.