Chinese chiefs in Africa : scale, reasons, and perceptions
Start Date
13-4-2023 4:45 PM
End Date
13-4-2023 5:45 PM
Description
In recent years, some Chinese have been conferred chiefly titles in African countries for their contributions to local development. Using news and magazine reports from both domestic and foreign sources, this paper reveals that since the 1980s, at least 23 Chinese chiefs have been appointed in Africa – all in West African countries. Chinese chiefs are mainly engaged in infrastructural construction, commerce, and industry, and can be broadly defined as “developmental” chiefs. There are four major types of Chinese chiefs: "infrastructure chiefs", "community leader chiefs", "individual businessperson chiefs," and "cultural and educational chiefs." Two important reasons explain this recent phenomenon. On the one hand, the Chinese receive chieftaincy titles due to their outstanding contribution to local socio- economic development. On the other hand, the dynamism and absorption capacity of the host country’s chieftaincy system are equally important. In particular, the emergence of new mechanisms such as "development chiefs," "returnee chiefs," and "immigrant chiefs" in countries such as Ghana and Nigeria has played a key role in absorbing foreign chiefs (including the Chinese) since the 1980s. The overall response of the African community to Chinese chiefs has been positive, but there is some criticism about their performance, reasons for being appointed, and their status as outsiders. Therefore, it is critical for the Chinese chiefs to balance "business interests" and "community interests" and continue to invest in community service and sustainable development in the local context.
Document Type
Presentation
Recommended Citation
Xu, L. (2023, April). Chinese chiefs in Africa: Scale, reasons, and perceptions. Presented at the International Symposium on Africa-China Relations in an Era of Uncertain Future. Lingnan University, Hong Kong.
Chinese chiefs in Africa : scale, reasons, and perceptions
In recent years, some Chinese have been conferred chiefly titles in African countries for their contributions to local development. Using news and magazine reports from both domestic and foreign sources, this paper reveals that since the 1980s, at least 23 Chinese chiefs have been appointed in Africa – all in West African countries. Chinese chiefs are mainly engaged in infrastructural construction, commerce, and industry, and can be broadly defined as “developmental” chiefs. There are four major types of Chinese chiefs: "infrastructure chiefs", "community leader chiefs", "individual businessperson chiefs," and "cultural and educational chiefs." Two important reasons explain this recent phenomenon. On the one hand, the Chinese receive chieftaincy titles due to their outstanding contribution to local socio- economic development. On the other hand, the dynamism and absorption capacity of the host country’s chieftaincy system are equally important. In particular, the emergence of new mechanisms such as "development chiefs," "returnee chiefs," and "immigrant chiefs" in countries such as Ghana and Nigeria has played a key role in absorbing foreign chiefs (including the Chinese) since the 1980s. The overall response of the African community to Chinese chiefs has been positive, but there is some criticism about their performance, reasons for being appointed, and their status as outsiders. Therefore, it is critical for the Chinese chiefs to balance "business interests" and "community interests" and continue to invest in community service and sustainable development in the local context.