South-South Cooperation And The Politics Of National Development: An Assessment Of China-Africa Bilateral Relations
Augustine Ejiofor Onyishi PhD
Department of Political Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
Chidozie B Obiorah PhD
Department of Political Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
Davies Emmanuel Opuene PhD
Department of Political Science, Rivers State University, Nkpolu, Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Keywords: Debt-book, BRI initiative, Neocolonialism, Complex interdependence, Land grab, Donor countries
Abstract
The quest for national development shepherd in the eon of interdependence among regions, but the China-Africa Bilateral relation has embered polemic among scholars, as to the raison d'être of the economic intercourse. While some see it as a means for national development others prefer to call it debt-trap diplomacy even as some settled for imminent neocolonialism. Using the trend research design, as well as qualitative method of data collection and analysis, with complex interdependent theory, this study comprehensively appraise the character and dimension of China-Africa bilateral relations by coalescing existing assumptions with available data. It specifically attempt to figure out whether the bilateral relation is debt-trap diplomacy or national development oriented rooted in south-south cooperation. Accordingly, available data revealed that the China-Africa bilateral relation is derived by south-south cooperation devoid of debt trap. It however, passionately recommend that the detractors should pay more attention to corrupt African leaders who’s agenda conflict with the ends of national development and may constitute or assist a debt-trap by not utilizing the aid offered to them by Beijing and other concerned international donors