China and the European Union in Africa: Partners or Competitors?

China's rise on the international scene over the past few years has correlated with its exponential economic growth. The European Union (EU), the world's largest development aid provider, has been feeling the heat of Beijing's closer ties with Africa. As a result, the EU's overall policy-making towards Africa has suffered from a loss of credibility and this has been further exposed both by the success of China's investments in Africa, and by the favourable response that China's investment proposals have received from African leaders.Dividing the book into five parts, the editors and an outstanding line up of Chinese and European contributors guide the reader through the complexities of China's rising influence in Africa, but also analysing if and how the EU should adapt to this." Part One explains how Western pressure affects the Chinese perception of their growing implication in Africa primarily from a Chinese perspective." Part Two explores recent military cooperation specifically looking the fight against piracy off the coast of Somalia and the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)." Part Three examines competitiveness that exists between the EU and China in the area of human rights, national sovereignty and the responsibility to protect (R2P principle)." Part Four exposes the economic development in Africa and the competition between China and the EU on development aid to Africa." Part Five outlines the future for cooperation or competition between the EU and China in Africa.This book intelligently weaves together China and the EU's policy in Africa and the impact of this interaction on Africa's future. A much needed insight into how the interaction between the three holds the key to solving one of the world's most challenging issues.