CHINESE INTERFERENCE IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: BETWEEN COOPERATION AND A NEW PATTERN OF DEPENDENCE WITH ANGOLA

Abstract

This text aims to describe Sino-Angolan cooperation in light of the new pattern of dependency. The relationship between Angola and China began in the 20th century, but gained strength after 2002, with lines of credit and cooperation agreements for post-civil war reconstruction. China's interest in Angola, linked to the search for oil and raw materials in exchange for infrastructure investments (roads, hospitals, schools, railways), led China to grant numerous multi-billion-dollar loans to Angola, with low interest rates and long terms, but conditioned on the use of Chinese companies and labor, creating economic dependence for the Angolan state. From this bilateral relationship, there have been improvements in mobility and infrastructure, but the predominance of Chinese workers has reduced employment opportunities for Angolans, limiting social benefits, and has also relegated Angola to a situation of strong dependence on oil exports to China, which weakens its economy in the face of the volatility of the international market. Furthermore, China, as an emerging power, dictates the terms of cooperation, restricting Angolan autonomy and reinforcing patterns of economic and technological dependence, leading to problems such as the trade deficit, low productive diversification, and criticism of neocolonialism. However, despite the advances in reconstruction, cooperation does not translate into inclusive socioeconomic development. Thus, the study suggests that Angola needs to redefine the terms of the partnership, prioritizing economic diversification and valuing the national workforce.