Competing for Soft Power
China's Image Making in Africa
Will be published approx. on 9. July 2026
Book
Hardback
282 pages
978-1-009-71031-2 (ISBN)
Description
Through the critical case study of Ethiopia, Maria Repnikova examines the ambitious but disjointed display of Chinese diplomatic influence in Africa. In doing so, she develops a new theoretical approach to understanding China's practice of soft power, identifying the core mechanisms as tangible enticement with material and experiential offerings, ideational promotion of values, visions, and governance practices, and censorial power over the production and dissemination of China narratives. Through in-depth field work, including interviews and focus groups, Repnikova builds a clear picture of the uneven implementation and reception of this image-making, in which Chinese messengers can improvise official agendas, and Ethiopian recipients can strategically appropriate and negotiate Chinese power. Contrary to popular claims about China replacing the West in the Global South, this innovative research reveals the successes, but also the inconsistencies and limitations of Chinese influence, as well as the ever-present shadow of the West in mediating soft-power encounters.
Reviews / Votes
'As western leaders fret over China's growing global influence, Maria Repnikova provides a pioneering study of one key case: China's approach to Ethiopia. With insight and clarity Repnikova reveals a multifaceted picture of what she terms 'China's image-making'. An important book for all seeking to understand our century.' Nicholas J. Cull, USC Annenberg 'Cutting through the hype and hyperbole of Chinese soft power, this incisive and eloquent book reveals its mechanisms and receptions in Africa. An exemplary study that demonstrates the power and necessity of rigorous scholarship for understanding global China.' Ching Kwan Lee, University of California-Los Angeles 'Repnikova challenges existing notions of 'soft power' based on incredibly rich fieldwork in both Ethiopia and China interviewing and observing the interactions of politicians, bureaucrats, business leaders, and ordinary people. This book not only delivers provocative new theoretical ideas but generates innovative methodologies for a rigorous comparative study of a transnational political economy.' Lauren M. MacLean, Northeastern University 'Competing for Soft Power rethinks how China seeks global influence. Drawing on extensive fieldwork in Ethiopia and China, Maria Repnikova introduces 'image-making' to explain how material inducements, political narratives, and information control shape China's contested and uneven engagement with Africa.' Xiaoyu Pu, University of NevadaMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
ISBN-13
978-1-009-71031-2 (9781009710312)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
approx. 07/2026
Cambridge University Press
€35.00
Not yet published
Person
Maria Repnikova is associate professor in Global Communication and the William C. Pate Endowed Chair in Strategic Communication at Georgia State University.
Content
Preface and Acknowledgements; Part I. Theoretical and Contextual Foundations: 1. Introduction: grasping China's uneven image-making; 2. Africa in China's quest for global recognition; Part II. China's Image-Making Mechanisms in Ethiopia: 3. Tangible enticement or the power of material offerings; 4. Ideational power: not exporting a China model but legitimizing China's path; 5. Defensive image-making: guarding China narratives; Part III. Transnational and Comparative Perspective: 6. Unintended synergies: the shared longing for the west; 7. Conclusions and new research directions; Appendix I. Studying China's image-making: fieldwork reflection and guide; Appendix II. List of interviews and focus groups; Bibliography.