Institute of Development Studies

Jing Gu speaks to the Guardian about Chinese investment in Africa

Jing Gu, Globalisation Team research fellow, was recently quoted in the Guardian for discussing the prospect of China's engagement in Africa, which is Gu's specialism.

Written by Tania Branigan, the article* was particularly referring to comments by Robert B. Zoellick, President of the World Bank. In the Financial Times, Zoellick had explained that beyond willingness there was strong interest coming from some within China to invest in and pursue natural resources in the continent.

Gu. having conducted much research in this area for the 'Public Action and Private Investment' Programme as part of the Centre for the Future State at IDS, is an expert in this subject. She supported the comments from Zoellick and explained that 'intense domestic competition had already led Chinese companies to look much further afield for opportunities'. Gu continued 'my own research on Chinese private investment has shown that it is increasingly in manufacturing. There are already [government] measures aimed at facilitating access to credit and simplfying procedures for Chinese firms looking to invest overseas, especially in Africa.'

* 'China "wants to set up factories in Africa"'