Chinese direct investment in Africa. A state strategy?
Thierry Pairault
Région et Développement, n°37, 2013(2), p. 259-284
Accès libre / Open access : http://region-developpement.univ-tln.fr/fr/pdf/R37/11_Pairault.pdf
[Abstract]
The purpose of this paper is to review available statistical and informational databases in order to understand the actual importance of Chinese direct investment in Africa and to infer its strategic significance. Hence, I shall successively present three main data and information sources, then summarize some observations they allow, and finally question the role and strategies of those Chinese enterprises investing in Africa which are under the direct supervision of the Chinese government.
L'objet de cette contribution est d'examiner les bases de données statistiques et informationnelles disponibles pour apprécier l'importance réelle de l'investissement direct chinois en Afrique et d'en comprendre la portée stratégique. Les trois principales sources d'information et de statistiques sont successivement présentées, puis les observations qu'elles permettent. Le rôle de ces investissements en Afrique et la question de la stratégie des entreprises sous tutelle direct du gouvernement central sont alors discutés.
Voir aussi / See also :
Revue de la régulation [en ligne], 13 | 1er semestre / Spring 2013,
Accès libre / Open access : http://regulation.revues.org/10195
Most of the studies on the Chinese presence in Africa tend inescapably to favour an approach through public enterprises. In this research we focus on a specific category of public enterprises, that of the companies under the direct supervision of the central government since they hold on average 80% of the stock of Chinese foreign direct investment. Their economic importance -both in China and abroad- coupled with their proximity to the central government substantiate that we distinguish these "central enterprises" from other public enterprises, that we specifically examine their role as an effective vector of China's policy in Africa. We will therefore discuss the resurgence of the strategic concept of "central enterprise", then will study the degree of autonomy of these central enterprises as expressed by their direct investment strategy abroad and more specifically in Africa. Finally, it appears that the Chinese government has an African strategy that it intends to implement through its "central enterprises", which have much greater autonomy than we might suppose at first sight
Le rôle des investissements directs étrangers entrants et sortants en Chine : une appréciation
Thierry Pairault
Région et Développement, n°31, 2010(1), p. 119-142
Accès libre / Open access : http://region-developpement.univ-tln.fr/fr/pdf/R31/11-Pairault.pdf
[Abstract]
This paper describes inward and outward stocks and flows of Chinese direct investment, and assesses what they might disclose about the current process of economic development. More particularly, it shows the difficulties met with by the Chinese economy in acquiring the high technology standards it seeks.