The South African Institute of International Affairs & College of Community Studies and Rural Development, University of Juba Cordially invites you to the conference: “China in Africa: Debating Sino-Sudan relations“

Date:        15 September 2010
Time:       09:00, for registration
Venue:     Oasis Camp, Nile Plot : 19 & 20, Juba, South Sudan
RSVP:      Prof. Melha Biel (CPDS)
Email:      mbiel55@hotmail.com

Please confirm your attendance early as seating will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis. 

Background

The dawn of the 21st century brought with it the promise of economic revival for many African countries, driven primarily by surging worldwide demand for Africa’s abundant stock of natural resources and a new realism amongst the continent’s leaders. With it came a renewed interest of foreign governments and companies willing to invest in the continent with China’s own search for new sources of raw materials and markets at the head.

As a result, and in less than a decade, China has achieved a significant economic and diplomatic standing on the continent. Indeed, China has not only become the continent’s major trading partner but has also managed to carved out strong positions in many different sectors, namely, infrastructure rehabilitation and construction, oil and mining. As China’s economic interests in the continent grow deeper its engagement tends to become more complex in its content and outcomes, inflating its influence over the region. Africa has been playing an increasing important role in Chinese foreign policy decision-making and this is of interest to the rest of the world in general and to Africa in particular.

Purpose

The goal of this seminar is to assist African policy makers, institutions, trade unions and civil society to recognise the opportunities and challenges presented by China’s growing commitment to the continent. We wish to make a strong contribution to a better understanding of this new African reality by focusing on, first, China’s growing engagement in specific economic sectors as well as African responses and, secondly, debate the particular case of Sudan, which shall be discussed in detail in the second half of the seminar.

The conference is jointly organised by the South African Institute of International Affairs (China in Africa project, Joburg) and the University of Juba. Presenters include experienced researchers based in London, South Africa, Mozambique and China all of which have been following closely this topic for many years. This conference forms part of SAIIA’s ‘China in Africa’ ongoing policy-relevant research aimed at investigating the emerging relationship between China and Africa, analysing the character and content of China’s trade and foreign policy towards the continent, studying the implications of this strategic cooperation in the political, military, economic and diplomatic fields and the impact in regional economic development.

Targeted public

Our targeted public are policy makers (legislative and executive branches), relevant ministries cadres (Foreign Affairs, Finance, Commerce, Infrastructure, Agriculture, etc.), foreign diplomatic missions, IGO’s and NGO’s, academic community, business community, journalists and general public.

China in Africa: Debating Sino-Sudan relations
SAIIA & University of Juba
Oasis Camp - Juba, 15 September, 2010

PROGRAMME

9:30 - Opening Remarks
Melha Biel (University of Juba) & Chris Alden (SAIIA )

10:00 / 13:00 - Part I ‘China in Africa: developments and challenges’

Chairman:   Melha Rout Biel / Thomas Laku (University of Juba)

10:00 - China in Africa: the challenges of consolidation
Chris Alden (SAIIA / LSE)

10:20 / 10:50– Q & A
10:50 / 11:10 coffee break

11:10 – China’s engagement in resources sectors in Africa
Ana C. Alves (SAIIA)

11:30 – West Africa and China – the experience in post-conflict states
Guillaume Moumouni (Uni of Benin/SAIIA)

11:50 / 12:30 - Q & A
12:30-14:30 Lunch Break

14: 30 / 16:30 - Part II ‘Debating Sino-Sudan relations’

Chairman:  Chris Alden (SAIIA)

14:30 - Looking back, looking forward: challenges and opportunities for China in Sudan's   historic transition, Dan Large (SOAS)

14:50 - Local Implications of Oil Extraction in Southern Sudan
Leben Nelson (University of Juba)

15:10 / 16: 00 - Q & A

16:00 - 16:30 Closing Remarks