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China in the African Ports : A String of Pearls in the Making?

Casabayó Mallol, Marc (2014) ACET35
Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University
Abstract
The Asian Dragon is challenging the economic hegemony of the United States but at the same time depends on energy imports to sustain its economic growth. Most of China's Oil comes from the Middle East and Africa, and the supply passes through the Indian Ocean and the Malacca Strait, a critical choke point. Western literature has extended the idea of String of Pearls -denied by China-, consisting in a number of ports strategically controlled by China along the energy Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC). China considers economic development -thus, energetic security- a core issue for the Chinese nation. The thesis supports the idea that China is enhancing its presence in the African ports, and that partially meets the String of Pearls strategy... (More)
The Asian Dragon is challenging the economic hegemony of the United States but at the same time depends on energy imports to sustain its economic growth. Most of China's Oil comes from the Middle East and Africa, and the supply passes through the Indian Ocean and the Malacca Strait, a critical choke point. Western literature has extended the idea of String of Pearls -denied by China-, consisting in a number of ports strategically controlled by China along the energy Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC). China considers economic development -thus, energetic security- a core issue for the Chinese nation. The thesis supports the idea that China is enhancing its presence in the African ports, and that partially meets the String of Pearls strategy main points. The thesis is divided in two parts, first, in What is the actual Chinese pattern in the African littoral; and second, see if this strategy fits in the String of Pearls model. A number of ports are examined and a pattern of action is defined objectively; afterwards this pattern is situated into the String of Pearls context and analysed through a Structural Realist lens. Though the balance of power between China and the US is a global issue, this thesis is focused only on what concerns the Chinese strategy directly related to the listed African ports. The thesis conclusions claim that China is following a stable pattern towards the African ports and meeting some of the String of Pearls strategy points. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Casabayó Mallol, Marc
supervisor
organization
course
ACET35
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
China in Africa, African ports, SLOC, String of Pearls, Structural Realism
language
English
id
8852087
date added to LUP
2016-03-14 11:27:41
date last changed
2016-03-14 11:27:41
@misc{8852087,
  abstract     = {{The Asian Dragon is challenging the economic hegemony of the United States but at the same time depends on energy imports to sustain its economic growth. Most of China's Oil comes from the Middle East and Africa, and the supply passes through the Indian Ocean and the Malacca Strait, a critical choke point. Western literature has extended the idea of String of Pearls -denied by China-, consisting in a number of ports strategically controlled by China along the energy Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC). China considers economic development -thus, energetic security- a core issue for the Chinese nation. The thesis supports the idea that China is enhancing its presence in the African ports, and that partially meets the String of Pearls strategy main points. The thesis is divided in two parts, first, in What is the actual Chinese pattern in the African littoral; and second, see if this strategy fits in the String of Pearls model. A number of ports are examined and a pattern of action is defined objectively; afterwards this pattern is situated into the String of Pearls context and analysed through a Structural Realist lens. Though the balance of power between China and the US is a global issue, this thesis is focused only on what concerns the Chinese strategy directly related to the listed African ports. The thesis conclusions claim that China is following a stable pattern towards the African ports and meeting some of the String of Pearls strategy points.}},
  author       = {{Casabayó Mallol, Marc}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{China in the African Ports : A String of Pearls in the Making?}},
  year         = {{2014}},
}