Ever since the China-Africa summit in Beijing in November 2006, the changing relations between China and Africa have been in the spotlight of public attention. Driven by Asia’s need for raw materials, commodity prices have been skyrocketing and resource-rich African countries are going through unprecedented periods of economic growth. Besides buying strategic commodities, however, China also acts as a supplier of cheap imported goods, evoking both contentment and apprehension alike. While consumers are delighted by the prospect of suddenly affordable goods, economists fear that the development of indigenous small enterprises and local industries may suffer from Chinese competition. On the political stage, China has recently forged numerous alliances with African governments and claims to be at the forefront of a new form of South-South cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit.

So far, most African political players seem to welcome China’s new engagement on the continent. China’s involvement is well appreciated as its cooperation seems to come with no strings or political conditionalities attached and leaves African representatives feeling respected in their sovereignty. China’s enormous infrastructure projects and the dizzying speed at which they are completed are widely admired. However, there are also critical voices expressing concern about labour standards as well as social and environmental issues – areas in which Chinese companies are regularly accused of disregarding international standards.

To date, the question whether China’s involvement in Africa will be beneficial or harmful to the continent in the long term cannot be answered with certainty. The upcoming conference aims to foster the interdisciplinary dialogue with regard to current developments and possible ways of approaching these analytically. In order to take some of the emotional heat out of the current debate about China’s impact on Africa’s development prospects, the conference will focus on reports from ongoing research projects with a particular emphasis on case studies. Special attention will be given to speakers from Africa and China.