The EU's foreign and security policy in Africa in the context of the growing international role of China

Anna's research project is situated at the intersection between European Foreign and Security Policy and EU-China relations and is undertaken in close cooperation with the Brussels Contemporary China Studies (BICCS).  The project aims at examining the impact of the growing Chinese presence in Africa for the EU.  Africa being seen as the traditional sphere of influence of the EU.  China's increasing influence in Africa has become a symbol for the challenges of a new global order to which the EU has to adapt.  The Chinese engagement in Africa implies both challenges and opportunities for the EU in a number of different fields, such as natural resources and energy security, as well as development and trade policy.  In her research, Anna compares the different European and Chinese approaches towards Africa and looks in particular at the repercussions of the Chinese Africa policy for the EU in terms of security.  In the past, Africa has been a sort of testing ground for the emerging European Security and Defense Policy and the Chinese involvement in some conflicts in Africa has consequently become a new element to be taken into account by the EU.  Moreover Anna's research also examines the European initiative of a trilateral cooperation scheme between the EU, Africa and China.

Promoters: Prof. Dr. Gustaaf Geeraerts
Researcher: Anna Stahl

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