Since 2000, the Chinese presence in Africa has continued to assert itself. Beijing has become the main trading partner. The increase in trade flows between "the world’s factory" and a continent which remains a supplier of raw materials, has been accompanied by a diplomatic and security deployment. Southern and Central Africa bear witness to these trends.

The second webinar will discuss Beijing's trade strategy as well as the Chinese presence in the African extractive sector (taken in its broadest sense, i.e. also includes logging), in the construction and management of infrastructure as well as the issue of the growing indebtedness of the countries of the zone to the PRC.

Restricted event. By invitation only.

Chair : Françoise Thomas, Director of Ifri’s Center for Asia

Speakers :

• Mark Bohlund, Economist, Credit Research Analyst, REDD intelligence
• Selma el Obeid, International Development Expert, Gender and Policy Analyst
• Alicia Garcia Herrero, Chief Economist, Assistant Professor, Hong-Kong Business School
• Alain Karsenty, Socio-economist, Researcher, CIRAD
• Johanna Malm, Independent researcher, member of the Stockholm Observatory for Global China 
• Thierry Pairault, Sinologist, Socio-economist and Emeritus Research Director, CNRS / EHES

The interventions and the debate will be held in French and English with simultaneous translation.

The videoconference will take place on Zoom.