The Art of Ore: Chinese Strategy in Africa

Abstract

A powerful theme undergirding US national security strategy is guaranteeing assured access to resources. Shortly after 9/11, increasing Chinese acquisition of minerals and mineral fuels in Africa and worldwide highlighted possible future competition over scarce resources. Many analysts decried Chinese actions, for the Chinese offered aid in exchange for resources without any of the Wests restrictions that required demonstration of democracy, good governance and increased transparency. Why is China acquiring strategic minerals and mineral fuels from African states? Does China have any objectives beyond resource acquisition? Is Africa a future flashpoint for colliding strategic interests or an opportunity for Sino-American cooperation? The purpose of this research is to assess China's grand strategy in light of its acquisition of mineral and petroleum resources in Africa.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2010
Accession Number
AD1019219

Entities

People

  • Mel Korsmo

Organizations

  • Air War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Foreign Relations
  • Geography
  • Globalization
  • Information Systems
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Investments
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Political Systems
  • Terrain
  • Topography
  • Treaties
  • War Colleges

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Asian Economic Studies
  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • International Relations, focusing on Korea-Africa and North Korea-South Korea relations, and Nigeria-Latin American Relations.