Chinese State-Owned Enterprises in Africa: Always a Black-and-White Role?

This paper provides an analysis of the role of Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and their investment in Africa. It aims to help understand the complexity of issues concerning Chinese SOEs and clarify the misconceptions about them. It discusses Chinese investment in Africa in general and Chinese SOEs in particular. The concerns and benefits of investment by Chinese SOEs and the impacts of their practice are assessed. It explores the regulatory challenges for both China (as the home state of investors) and African countries (as host states of foreign investment). Further action of the Chinese side is examined with a discussion on China's domestic reform and the implication of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It argues that for the sustainable development and interests of both sides, the enhanced Sino-African cooperation and the corresponding regulation of Chinese overseas investment are necessary.