Description
This paper explores the tension of friendship within the framework of international relations, specifically in the context of China-Africa relations. Building on theories of friendship between states, this study examines the balance of mutual respect, support, and reciprocity that underpins true friendship. However, it challenges the notion of altruistic relations between states, arguing instead that interests and rewards, whether overt or covert, are often central. Frenemyship—a blend of “friend” and “enemy”—is introduced as a political concept to describe relationships marked by both cooperation and underlying tension. The China-Africa relationship exemplifies this duality. While Chinese infrastructure projects in East Africa, such as the Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya and TAZARA in Tanzania, are presented as benevolent developments, they often lead to debt dependency and erosion of sovereignty through “debt-trap diplomacy.” This paper illustrates how these projects, framed as partnerships, ultimately reflect a “frenemy” dynamic by creating economic dependence and threatening national sovereignty. By analyzing these dynamics, this paper positions “frenemyship” as a critical concept for evolving our understanding of friendship in international relations and understanding the complex, ambivalent alliances in global politics.
