Beyond enclaves. Unpacking Chinese economic engagements in Africa
A joint seminar by ASC and IIAS presented by Romain Dittgen.
A joint seminar by ASC and IIAS, presented by Romain Dittgen.
This presentation explores two contrasting case studies which mirror two of the predominant features of the Chinese economic foothold in Africa, namely extractive and commercial activities. One is set in Chad and takes a closer look at CNPC’s (China National Petroleum Corporation) recent engagement in the Chadian oil sector. The other deals with the rapid and on-going expansion of Chinese wholesale and distribution centres in Johannesburg (South Africa). Based on these empirical examples, the paper depicts the way in which different Chinese entities – a state-owned oil company and privately owned malls – relate to their respective host environment. Dr Dittgen argues that the modalities of the Chinese spatial footprint are characterized both by closure and interaction, creating a dynamic tension which produces its own set of unique practices. The ambivalence between enclave and active linkages with host societies is not only a physical reality from a spatial point of view, but also emerges in regards to economic strategies.
If the Chinese presence has gradually become a tangible part of the economic landscape in Africa, the implementation of these activities has not been without challenges. In the face of several forms of risks, both of the studied activities have shown signs of change in terms of behaviour. Settling in challenging African contexts raises therefore the question about the level of resilience by Chinese actors and, in short, the degree of influence the host environment holds over the organisation and the structuring of activities. Consequently, it is essential to adopt a long-term approach in order to see to what extent both Chinese operations are embedded in particular territories or places.
Speaker
Romain Dittgen is currently a joint visiting fellow at the African Studies Centre and the International Institute for Asian Studies, both located in Leiden. Romain holds a PhD in Human Geography from the Sorbonne University in Paris (Panthéon-Sorbonne) and is affiliated to the geography research institute UMR 8586 Prodig in Paris. Additionally, he is also an associate researcher at the South African Institute of International Affairs.
Romain’s research deals with the spatial dimension of the Chinese presence in Sub-Saharan Africa. His focus is on settlement dynamics of public and private Chinese actors through a geographical perspective, looking in particular at how interactions are influenced and remodelled by local realities. More recently, he has been expanding this research angle towards the formation of Chinese ‘cultural spaces’.
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