China's Media and Soft Power in Africa - Promotion and Perceptions

This volume brings together scholars from different disciplines and nations to examine and assess the effectiveness of China's soft power initiatives in Africa. Some make contributions to the theorization of the slippery concept of soft power, while others are more empirically based, providing valuable case studies in both China and Africa. This collection considers the concept of soft power and questions its relevance to understanding China's international relations and international communications. It analyzes China's soft power in Africa through its international communication channels, addressing important questions such as: Why are Chinese media in Africa? How much soft power does China have in Africa? And what is the appropriate framework to analyze Chinese media's performance in Africa?  In answering these questions, this volume also examines how China's engagement is represented in African countries' media.

Xiaoling Zhang is Associate Professor and Head of the School of Contemporary Chinese Studies at the University of Nottingham Ningbo, China. She is the author of The Transformation of Political Communication in China: From Propaganda to Hegemony.

Herman Wasserman is Professor of Media Studies and Director of Centre for Film and Media Studies, University of Cape Town, South Africa. He is editor of  African Journalism Studies  and author of Tabloid Journalism in South Africa: True Story!

Winston Mano is Director of Africa Media Centre and Reader in Media and Communication Studies, University of Westminster, UK and Editor of the Journal of African Media Studies. He is also a Senior Research Associate in the School of Communication at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.