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Explaining the rise of 'human rights' in analyses of Sino-African relations

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Breslin, Shaun and Taylor, Ian. (2008) Explaining the rise of 'human rights' in analyses of Sino-African relations. Review of African Political Economy, Vol.35 (No.115). pp. 59-71. ISSN 0305-6244

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Abstract

Popular perceptions of China and its global role are often shaped by two words: 'made in'. Yet this vision of China that focuses primarily on Beijing as a coming economic superpower is relatively new, and it is not that long ago that two other words tended to dominate debates on and discourses of China: 'human rights'. To be sure, real interest in human rights in China was never the only issue in other states' relations with China, nor consistently pursued throughout the years (Nathan, 1994). Nor did human rights totally subsequently disappear from the political agenda.1 Nevertheless, the rhetorical importance of human rights - perhaps best epitomised by the narrow defeat of resolutions condemning Chinese policy in 1995 at the Human Rights Council in Geneva - stands in stark contrast to the relative silence thereafter as the bottom line of most states' relations with Beijing took on ever greater economic dimensions.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions
Divisions: Faculty of Social Sciences > Politics and International Studies
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Human rights -- China, China -- Foreign relations -- Africa, Africa -- Foreign relations -- China, China -- Foreign economic relations -- Africa , Africa -- Foreign economic relations -- China
Journal or Publication Title: Review of African Political Economy
Publisher: Routledge
ISSN: 0305-6244
Official Date: March 2008
Volume: Vol.35
Number: No.115
Page Range: pp. 59-71
Identification Number: 10.1080/03056240802011469
Status: Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version: Open Access
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URI: http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/283

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