In the 21st century, China proposes a cooperation scheme with its own characteristics. In relation to the cooperation projects that China has been carrying out in the African continent, an exponential growth of infrastructure works was observed that has contributed to the improvement of the socioeconomic conditions of Africa. In this context, it is worth asking, what distinctive characteristics does Chinese cooperation in infrastructure have that makes it so attractive to African countries? For the purpose of answering this question, we propose to analyse the link that Beijing has established with the African countries, specifying the characteristics its cooperation scheme presents. Likewise, the priority areas around which cooperation projects are directed and their financing modality are investigated. Secondly, we consider the construction of one of the sections of the railway in Kenya (Mombasa-Nairobi project) under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a typical case of China's infrastructure cooperation in an African country.

China’s intention to go global has been clear since Xi Jinping assumed power, displaying its grand strategy. Infrastructure projects supporting physical connectivity reveal China’s policies to expand its actions beyond the regional environment and consolidate its power projection. The Going Out policy has been the tool to back up Chinese investments in infrastructure, and African countries have offered a good opportunity to show what can be done in an almost bare terrain. Nigeria and Kenya are good examples to empirically demonstrate China’s intentions, as they have railway remodelling or construction projects underway.

Reseña del libro: LATHINEN, A. (2018). China’s Diplomacy and Economic Activities in Africa. Relations on the Move, Palgrave Macmillan, 107 páginas.