EXPLOITING AFRICA

THE INFLUENCE OF MAOIST CHINA IN ALGERIA, GHANA, AND TANZANIA

By DONOVAN C. CHAU























DONOVAN C. CHAU is an associate
professor of political science at
California State University, San
Bernardinoa. Holding a PhD from the
University of Reading, Chaus
teaching and research focus on
international politics, particularly in
Asia and Africa. Prior to entering
academia, Dr. Chau worked as a
subject-matter expert on U.S.
government contracts and as a
professional staff member in the U.S.
House of Representatives.




Even before China overtook the United States as
Africas biggest trading partner in 2009, the expanding
network of economic, political, and military ties that
Beijing has cultivated across Africa has been cause for
concern by policymakers and analysts in Washington.
What many of them overlook, however, is that the recent
activity is hardly the first Chinese foray into Africa.
Chaus examination of Communist Chinas not
inconsiderable efforts under Mao Zedong to gain
influence in several post-independence African states
not only lifts the veil on this little-known period, but
also draws some tantalizing clues from the initial
strategic engagement as to possible trajectories now that
Beijing has emerged as one of the leading actors on the
continent at a time when Africa as a whole enjoys both
buoyant economic prospects and growing geopolitical
importance.
J. PETER PHAM, director, Africa Center, Atlantic
Council, and editor-in-chief, Journal of the Middle East
and Africa

Chaus Exploiting Africa makes a valuable and timely
contribution to the burgeoning literature on Chinas
involvement in Africa today. In contrast to most extant
accounts, this book demonstrates the link between the
involvements of Maoist China on the continent from the
1950s to the 1970s. Although Chinas Africa policy
then was influenced by its ideological orientation, Chau
argues convincingly that Chinas meddling was at a
fundamental level pragmatically driven. In the long
term, China was seeking to ensure access to Africas
vast mineral resources for its own primarily economic
objectives. Chaus arguments are masterfully supported
by empirical evidence from three case studies: Algeria,
Ghana, and Tanzania.
EDMOND J. KELLER, research professor of political
science, University of California, Los Angeles

A BOOK FOR REVI EW

NAVAL INSTITUTE PRESS BOOK NEWS







Donovan Chaus informative and often provocative analysis of Sino-African relations, from the
1955 Bandung Conference until the death of Mao Zedong, is a must-read for anyone wanting to
understand the rising Asian powers involvement in the continent today. Dispassionate and
avoiding polemics, Exploiting Africa engagingly explores the PRCs historical involvement in three
case studies. Ultimately, Chau sounds the tocsin concerning Beijings ongoing geopolitical
ambitions in Africa that world leaders will ignore at their own peril.
GEORGE L. SIMPSON, professor of history at High Point University and editor of The Journal of
the Middle East and Africa

xploiting Africa examines Chinas historical role in Algeria, Ghana, and Tanzania
from the 1950s to the 1970s, an important yet often overlooked aspect of the broader
subject of China in Africa today. During this time China meddled in Africas affairs with its
own self-interest in mind and for the benefit of the Communist Party of China. The Chinese
arrived in Africa with little fanfare, yet they maintained an active presence that was more
pragmatic than revolutionary.
Though often couched in ideological rhetoric, Chinese goals in Africa were those of
an aspiring world power. China skillfully used its diplomatic, intelligence, and economic
means to shape events and to exploit its relationships to gain lasting influence on the
continent. It is crucial to understand the nature and character of Chinas historical actions in
Africa in order to properly grasp the nations current and future policies. Rather than
merely look forward, one must also look backward to comprehend the true nature of Chinas
role in Africa. This book contributes vitally to the discourse on Sino-African history and
adds to the contemporary strategic understanding and debate about China in Africa.


EXPLOITING AFRICA: The Influence of Maoist China in Algeria, Ghana, and Tanzania
By Donovan C. Chau
Publication date: 15 April 2014
224 pp., 3 maps, notes, bibliography, index. Hardcover list price: $46.95 35.50
ISBN: 978-1-61251-250-1 History China
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