EU-China-Africa Trilateral Relations in a Multipolar World

This book considers the effect of China’s unprecedented economic growth and more prominent geopolitical role in the twenty-first century. Rising powers considerably alter international relations, leading to the emergence of a multipolar world order that impacts more traditional international players like the European Union (EU). China’s growing economic and diplomatic influence is particularly relevant in Africa, where it presents an alternative to conventional North-South relations and proposes a new type of South-South partnership. Stahl examines the EU’s foreign policy response regarding China’s growing presence in Africa, as well as the EU’s attempts to refocus attention on the African continent. Drawing on a rich body of evidence collected through fieldwork in China and Africa, and extensive expert interviews, the author sheds light on the novel trend of EU-China-Africa trilateral relations. The book offers a new analytical framework for the study of the EU’s foreign policy ofengagement with emerging powers and will appeal to graduate students and scholars interested in the EU’s international role, international relations and development, as well as contemporary Chinese and African studies.

“China’s role in Africa’s development has faced abundant academic polemic in the last decade. This book proposes a welcome, balanced account of a fascinating facet of this story. … Stahl offers a powerful account of how the EU’s liberal bureaucratic institutions and diplomatic practices failed to cope with the rise of non-European development actors.” (Ueli Staeger, Journal of Common Market Studies JCMS, Vol. 56 (5), July, 2018) “Stahl’s book is an important contribution to our understanding of EU-China-Africa relations and the complex dynamics driving these ties. It represents a combination of sound theoretical knowledge and meticulous empirical investigation.” (Professor Christopher Alden, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), UK)

“No other book makes better sense of the interplay between Europe, China and Africa.” (Professor He Wenping, Institute of West Asian and African Studies (IWAAS), Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), China)

“At a time when Africa's development and foreign relations are in flux, this book shows the common ground and the differences between key international actors. A must-read for policy-makers from the three continents.” (Uwe Wissenbach, European External Action Service (EEAS))

“As multipolarity defines the geopolitics of the 21st century, Stahl's book is essential reading to grasp the key linkages of two continents - Africa and Europe - withChina, the world's second largest economy.” (Patrick I. Gomes, Secretary-General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States)

“This systematic analysis could not be timelier: in a post-Western world, new or emerging foreign policy actors – China, Africa, and, yes, the EU – have to learn to cooperate. Stahl provides excellent insights into this endeavour.” (Dr. Sven Grimm, Former Director of the Centre for Chinese Studies (CCS), Stellenbosch University, South Africa)

“This book is an excellent guide for scholars and practitioners involved in EU foreign policy towards China and Africa. It offers a comprehensive overview of the interaction between different EU institutions and shows the precursory role of the European Parliament in addressing China’s presence in Africa.” (Jo Leinen, MEP and Chairman of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with China)

“Drawing on three different cases studies, Stahl’s book perfectly illustrates the

growing importance of EU-China-Africa trilateral relations in a rapidly shifting world. The timely volume offers a host of new empirical insights as it draws on a notably rich body of evidence collected through painstaking field research in China and Africa.” (Professor Zhimin Chen, Dean and Jean Monnet Chair, School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA), Fudan University, China)

“Significantly and appropriately, Stahl expertly analyses the trilateral relationship between Europe, China and Africa in the context of different bilateral and multilateral venues.” (David H. Shinn, Adjunct Professor at George Washington University, USA, and former U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia and Burkina Faso)

“Anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the unfolding trilateral relations between the EU, China and Africa, will find this book fascinating. Stahl convincingly argues that with an emerging multipolar world order, the EU needs to develop new foreign policy instruments

that are based on mutual exchanges and reciprocal learning with China and Africa.” (Professor Gustaaf Geeraerts, School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA), Fudan University, China)

Anna Katharina Stahl is Research Affiliate at the EU-China Research Centre of the College of Europe and also serves as Associate Researcher at the Institute for European Studies (IES) of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Belgium. She is currently a Fulbright scholar with the China Program at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington D.C.