Sino-Cameroon relations: a foreign policy of pragmatism

Based on primary sources, including documents obtained from Cameroon’s Ministry of External Relations, oral interviews conducted in Cameroon, local newspapers, and a variety of secondary sources, this article examines Cameroon’s foreign policy and economic relations with China. It argues that Cameroon’s engagement with China has resulted in short-term benefits for consumers but undermined long-term, sustainable economic development. The article concludes that unless China genuinely pursues its promised policies of ‘mutual respect’ and ‘win-win gain’, voices of protest will only grow louder in Cameroon and other African nations. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract]