Angola and China: a pragmatic partnership
Author: Indira Campos, Alex Vines.
Campos, Indira and Vines, Alex. 2008. "Angola and China: a pragmatic partnership." Working Paper 16. Washington/D.C.: https://csis-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/legacy_files/files/media/csis/pubs/080306_angolachina.pdf
Angola has enjoyed a period of sustained peace since April 2002 and is preparing
for legislative elections in 2008—the firs
t since 1992. From having one of the
most protracted conflicts in Africa, Ango
la has within five years become one of
the most successful economies in sub-Sa
haran Africa. Fuelled by record-high
international oil prices and robust grow
th in both the oil and non-oil sector,
Angola has experienced exceptionally high growth rates in recent years. In 2006,
real GDP reached 18.6 percent, following the already impressive 20.6 percent in
2005. The IMF projects GDP growth to remain high at 23.4 percent in 2007 and
26.6 percent in 2008. Meanwhile, inflation
has fallen from over 300 percent in
1999 to 12 percent in 2006, and surging oil re
venues have led to large fiscal and
external current account surpluses.
2
With the war now over, rapid post-c
onflict reconstruction has become the
government’s priority. The People’s Republic
of China (China) has in particular
played an important role in assisting thes
e efforts. Chinese financial and technical
assistance has kick-started over 100 projects
in the areas of energy, water, health,
education, telecommunications, fisheries,
and public works. On the occasion of
Chinese prime minister Wen Jibao’s vi
sit to Angola in June 2006, Angolan
president Eduardo dos Santos
described bilateral rela
tions as being “mutually
advantageous” partnerships that were “pragmatic” and had no “political
preconditions.”Published: 2008Typ: report