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China's expanding influence in Africa: projection, perception and prospects in Southern African countries

Zhang, Xiaoling; Wasserman, Herman; Mano, Winston

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Authors

Xiaoling Zhang

Herman Wasserman

Winston Mano



Abstract

China's multi-faceted endeavour to expand its influence in Africa has attracted worldwide scholarly and media attention. This article examines the different moments of China's soft power endeavour, from projection through its state media to representation and lived experiences in South Africa and Zimbabwe, two African countries which receive a significant level of attention in China's policymaking. Through interdisciplinary methodologies such as content analysis, online questionnaires and in-depth interviews conducted in China, South Africa and Zimbabwe, the authors found that China's state-engineered soft power initiatives have resulted in partial success in the two countries. The conclusions indicate that China faces many challenges in fully accomplishing its intended goal. The findings provide new insight into China's political impact in Africa within the context of Beijing's growing influence on Africa's political and economic future.

Citation

Zhang, X., Wasserman, H., & Mano, W. (2017). China's expanding influence in Africa: projection, perception and prospects in Southern African countries. Communicatio: South African Journal for Communication Theory and Research, 42(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/02500167.2016.1143853

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 1, 2017
Online Publication Date Mar 17, 2016
Publication Date Mar 17, 2017
Deposit Date Sep 26, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Communicatio
Print ISSN 0250-0167
Electronic ISSN 1753-5379
Publisher Routledge
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 42
Issue 1
Pages 1-22
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/02500167.2016.1143853
Keywords foreign media, public diplomacy, reception, Sino-Africa relations, Sino-Zimbabwe culture, soft power, South African media
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/850878
Publisher URL http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02500167.2016.1143853
Additional Information This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Communicatio on 17/03/2016, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/02500167.2016.1143853

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