China and Angola - Strategic partnership or marriage of convenience?

Abstract

In 2004 Angola’s Ministry of Finance and China’s Ministry of Trade signed the first of several financing packages for public investment projects in Angola. These packages provided for oil-backed concessional loans from Chinese banks. This brief takes stock of the achievements after six years. What is the nature of the partnership between the Angola and China? Is a strategic partnership being built around shared goals? Or are we witnessing an uneasy marriage of convenience?