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How China Uses Parliamentary Buildings to Build Influence in Africa

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Manage episode 521110982 series 2776077
Content provided by The China-Global South Project. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by The China-Global South Project or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

China has funded, designed, and built more than 200 government buildings across Africa, including the headquarters of the African Union and Ecowas, foreign ministry annexes in Ghana and Kenya, and at least 15 national parliaments.

Eric and Cobus speak with Innocent Batsani-Ncube, an associate professor of African politics at Queen Mary University of London and author of the new book China and African Parliaments.

Drawing on extensive fieldwork in Lesotho, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, Batsani-Ncube explains how China's parliamentary construction boom works, why African governments welcome it, and what he calls "subtle power"—a form of elite-level influence that sits between soft and sharp power.

📌 Key topics in this episode:

  • Why China builds African parliamentary buildings — and why African governments accept them
  • "Subtle power" vs. soft power vs. sharp power
  • The politics behind construction, design, and land selection
  • How these buildings shape legislative capacity and political identity
  • Case studies: Lesotho, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Congo-Brazzaville
  • Does this compromise sovereignty? Or strengthen parliaments?
  • Are these buildings really vectors for Chinese espionage?

📘 Purchase China and African Parliaments by Innocent Batsani-Ncube on Amazon

JOIN THE DISCUSSION:

X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth

Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social

FOLLOW CGSP IN FRENCH & SPANISH:

JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

  continue reading

301 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 521110982 series 2776077
Content provided by The China-Global South Project. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by The China-Global South Project or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

China has funded, designed, and built more than 200 government buildings across Africa, including the headquarters of the African Union and Ecowas, foreign ministry annexes in Ghana and Kenya, and at least 15 national parliaments.

Eric and Cobus speak with Innocent Batsani-Ncube, an associate professor of African politics at Queen Mary University of London and author of the new book China and African Parliaments.

Drawing on extensive fieldwork in Lesotho, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, Batsani-Ncube explains how China's parliamentary construction boom works, why African governments welcome it, and what he calls "subtle power"—a form of elite-level influence that sits between soft and sharp power.

📌 Key topics in this episode:

  • Why China builds African parliamentary buildings — and why African governments accept them
  • "Subtle power" vs. soft power vs. sharp power
  • The politics behind construction, design, and land selection
  • How these buildings shape legislative capacity and political identity
  • Case studies: Lesotho, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Congo-Brazzaville
  • Does this compromise sovereignty? Or strengthen parliaments?
  • Are these buildings really vectors for Chinese espionage?

📘 Purchase China and African Parliaments by Innocent Batsani-Ncube on Amazon

JOIN THE DISCUSSION:

X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth

Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social

FOLLOW CGSP IN FRENCH & SPANISH:

JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

  continue reading

301 episodes

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