The China’s Integration in the African Market and Its Impact on the Western World

Abstract

The theoretical and methodological basis of the research is the works of domestic and foreign scientists. The results were obtained due to the application of the following system of methods: the method of logical analysis made it possible to develop the logic of the research; the method of generalization and synthesis – to form the conclusions of scientific research; methods of structural and economic-statistical analysis were used to determine the trends of direct foreign investments of the two superpowers; methods of expert assessments – to generalize the results of the survey on the attitude of citizens of African countries to foreign partners. The graphic method made it possible to visualize the obtained research results. The article is devoted to a detailed study of the mechanisms of China's integration into the African market and its impact on the Western world. The changes that took place in the international arena at the beginning of the 21st century, in particular, were embodied in the formation of the People's Republic of China (PRC) as a contender for global leadership and the acquisition of features of a central power State. Considering these circumstances, the People's Republic of China pursues a multi-vector foreign policy, in which the African continent occupies a prominent place. China, understanding not only the importance of Africa's resource potential, but also the tendency of the continent's political weight to grow in the international arena, seeks to establish close relations with a number of African countries. The article analyzes the economic mechanism of China's policy towards Africa. First of all, this is viewed through the prism of investments in the context of Beijing's foreign policy strategy. The authors of the article highlighted the challenges and prospects of economic cooperation between China and African countries. Among the main areas of China's cooperation with African countries, the authors specifically considered the investment activity of Chinese investors in terms of their promotion to the markets of the countries of the African continent and the improvement of the implementation of China's foreign policy interests in Africa. Each step is taken with consideration of the civilizational factors of the region and using the «soft power» mechanism.