Beijing's Understanding of African Security: Context and Limitations

This article argues that, instead of criticizing Beijing for security free-riding and noncooperation in liberal peace projects in Africa, we should engage with Beijing's perspective on African security and its rationale for noninterference in Africa's domestic affairs. Beijing views the liberal peace project as the neocolonial hegemonic imposition of the West and, furthermore, believes it contributes to African insecurity. This view comes from China's communication with African elites, Beijing's own historical experiences with colonialism, and a mix of realist, Marxist, and postcolonial analysis. China's assessment of African security is state-centric and elite focused. This study discusses how and why Beijing's understanding of and policy for African security has evolved and the direction it is likely to take in the future.