China & Angola: A Marriage of Convenience?

There has been an explosion of attention given to China's interests and activities in Africa and on the wide spectrum of Chinese actors involved in countries across the continent, but the terms and implications of the China-Angola partnership remain unclear. This book focuses on the increased co-operation between Angola and China and shows that although relations with China might have bolstered regime stability and boosted the international standing of the Angolan government, China is not regarded as a long term strategic partner. Offering a rich overview of relations from the perspectives of foreign policy, public policy, energy, industry, infrastructure and labour issues, the authors examine some of the labour, infrastructure and policy issues arising from Chinese involvement in Angola's oil, construction, retail and wholesale sectors. A survey of Angolan workers' perceptions of Chinese corporate practices shows the need for better local control to tackle the shortcomings and foster the benefits stemming from cultural, economic and professional interchange. The involvement of Chinese firms in Angola's costly centralised housing programme in the post-war era shows how the needs and capacities of Angolans have consistently been ignored. The book also explores Chinese perceptions of Angola and their relationship, discerns some notable shifts since the early 1980s and demonstrates the importance of grassroots interactions which have often been overlooked in accounts of China-Angola relations.