China–Africa Relations: An Analysis of Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Documents Using Shinn and Eisenman’s Optimist–Pessimist Dual Framework

Using Shinn and Eisenman’s Optimist–Pessimist dual framework this article has analysed contemporary China–Africa relations through documents produced by the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation. This analysis both substantiates and problematises the Optimist and Pessimist perspectives that make up the framework. It identifies zero-sum thinking as a weakness common to key postulates of both the perspectives. In the Optimist perspective, China provides Africa with a political counterweight to the West. In the Pessimist perspective, the strengthening of China–Africa relations constitutes an unwelcome challenge to the West in Africa. In both cases, the gain of one party results in a loss for the other. In the first case, Africa’s gain results in a loss to the West and, in the second case, it is China’s gain as against a loss to the West. In order to rectify this weakness, it calls for greater non-zero-sum thinking in the West in response to the growing China–Africa relationship aimed at realising joint gains for all parties.