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That is where this reporting guide comes in.
We provide short, to-the-point introductions
to key controversies in China-Africa relations.
We hone in on issues that are complex enough
to support serious reporting, but we unpack
them in a simple way that will save you time.
Each factsheet gives a basic introduction to
the issue, provides a few key facts that pro­
vide you with context, and a map showing the
African countries most impacted by this issue.
We then back this up with easy access to
sources that can tell you more: people to in­
terview, links to articles that will give you
more context, and a link to a podcast discus­
sion of the issue at hand. We cap all of it with a
bottom line that provides you with a useful
hook that will focus your reporting.
The issues tackled in this guide range from in­
troductions to key aspects of the China-Africa
relationship (the Belt and Road Initiative,
recent changes in Chinese aid, and the role of
China's private sector in Africa) to wider in­
sights about China as a new world power
(where does Africa feature in Xi Jinping's
worldview? How racist are Chinese people?)
We also introduce the hottest topics in the
China-Africa space, including the issue of
debt, the rise of the Chinese RMB currency in
African business, and China's military base in
Djibouti. We are dedicated to challenge old
assumptions - even the assumption that
China is interested in Africa at all. In each case
we unpack the facts and provide you with a
fresh perspective.
4
The guide is an introduction to the breadth of
Africa's relationship with China. It will allow
you to go deeper, report better and inform
your audience more effectively, while saving
you time.
THECHINA-AFRICARELATIONSHIPIS COMPLICAT­
ED.
The stakes are massive, and the terrain is un­
known. Because so much is at stake, emotions
run high and rumors can easily crowd out
facts. It is your job as a journalist to separate
the facts from the myths. This guide is de­
signed to help you achieve that objective in a
convenient, efficient manner so help you to
more accurately cover China-Africa relations.
- Cobus van Staden
Johannesburg
- Eric Olander
Shanghai