East Asia at the frontiers: Japan then – China now

Issue 73 – July 2012
This issue of African East-Asian Affairs | The China Monitor examines two topics which, at first glance, have little to do with current Africa. They bring excursions to Papua New Guinea in the Pacific – and to foregone times of the early 20th century. At the same time, however, they ring intriguingly familiar for those who look at contemporary Chinese engagement on the African continent.
In the first article, Australian scholar Graeme Smith from the China Studies Centre at the University of Sydney Business School examines Chinese investment and activity in the Pacific state of Papua New Guinea. The second piece, from Jean-Raphaël Chaponnière of the Asia Centre at Sciences Po in Paris, offers fascinating historical parallels between Japan in Africa then, and China and Africa now, particularly from the perspective of competitive foreign trade powers, and frustrated local industries.
Also included are some of the CCS Commentaries from the last month, as well as exciting news regarding activities and events at the CCS.
You can download Issue 73 of African East-Asian Affairs | The China Monitor here.