China-Africa health cooperation: the impact of the Health Silk Road and Covid-19

Abstract

"With Covid-19, health diplomacy gained much value in economic and international relations, especially for the developing countries. In these terms, this study will examine the role that health cooperation has had in the past and nowadays in Sino-African relations. Unfolding in three chapters, the thesis will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of Chinese health aid towards the African continent. In the first chapter, the historical and political context of Sino-African health cooperation, from 1949 to the Ebola epidemic, will be presented, outlining the key events and protagonists. It will also analyze Chinese development assistance for health in Africa, with particular attention to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative. The second chapter addresses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health cooperation between China and Africa, focusing on the Health Silk Road initiative and the implemented strategies of health diplomacy, such as mask and vaccine diplomacy. Finally, the third chapter presents case studies of Sino-African health cooperation during the pandemic, with specific references to Tanzania and Kenya. This study aims to discuss whether Chinese actions are motivated by genuine solidarity or soft power strategies, through a deeper analysis of historical-political events and literature review. "