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Sino-Cameroon Relations: A Foreign Policy of Pragmatism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 November 2015

Julius A. Amin
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Abstract:

Based on primary sources, including documents obtained from Cameroon’s Ministry of External Relations, oral interviews conducted in Cameroon, and local newspapers, and a variety of secondary sources, this article examines Cameroon’s foreign policy and economic relations with China. It argues that Cameroon’s engagement with China has resulted in short-term benefits for consumers but undermined long-term, sustainable economic development. The article concludes that unless China genuinely pursues its promised policies of “mutual respect” and “win–win gain,” voices of protest will only grow louder in Cameroon and other African nations.

Résumé:

Cet article qui examine la politique étrangère du Cameroun et ses relations économiques avec la Chine se base sur des sources primaires, y compris des documents provenant du Ministère des Affaires Etrangères du Cameroun, des entrevues orales menées au Cameroun, des journaux locaux, et une variété de sources secondaires. Il fait valoir que l’engagement du Cameroun avec la Chine a entraîné des avantages à court terme pour les consommateurs, mais a miné à long terme le développement économique durable. L’article conclut que à moins que la Chine ne poursuive véritablement ses politiques promises de “respect mutuel” et de “gain gagnant-gagnant,” des voix de protestation ne feront que s’accroître au Cameroun et dans d’autres pays africains.

Keywords

ChinaCameroonAhmadou AhidjoPaul BiyaBeijing ConsensusWashington Consensus
Type
ARTICLES
Information
African Studies Review , Volume 58 , Issue 3 , December 2015 , pp. 171 - 189
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 2015 

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