4. The Growing Economic Role of China in Africa: The Case of the Democratic Republic of Congo

The economic rapprochement between China and African countries has become the subject of debates in various intellectual forums. While most African leaders welcome China’s involvement in various development projects, some western officials and scholars are critical of this economic relationship. For the past 16 years, since the first China–Africa forum held in 2000, China has been carrying out projects under the agreements signed with various African countries. The positive outcomes of the Chinese investments in most countries are still elusive as far as the welfare of the masses is concerned. This chapter examines the factors that determine China’s policy toward Africa in general and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in particular. While endorsing African countries’ right to diversify their trading partners, the chapter highlights some impediments that affect the successful economic partnership between China and the DRC.