THE ODA DIMENSION OF CHINA: THE CASE OF AFRICA

With the recent developments in the past decade new international actors that have benefited from a flourishing economic stability and a liberalization of global trade have emerged. China stands out as one of the most important new actors that have emerged, a “rising power”. These new found global and regional self-perception have led to an intensification of its international engagement. International development aid is one area that has seen a rapid increase in importance for the Chinese government. Recipient countries from Africa or Asia welcome China as a new donor even though its methods differ from the OECD standards. As a result a series of questions and challanges rise up when it comes to Chinese foreign aid. First there is the issue in understanding what China defines as aid. The second issue is observing the impact that these policies have and to whom are they intended, a special attention being paid to the African Continent.