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In the past two years, news headlines have periodically speculated that African borrowers are at risk of losing their sovereign assets to Chinese lenders. How well does the data reflect these headlines? Is the idea of widespread asset seizures a myth?

A virtual event was held on Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 9:30am EDT. The presentation was followed by a discussion and a Q&A session.

Prof. Rithmire discussed her research on the case of the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka, questioning whether it fits the narrative of asset seizure. Prof. Deborah Brautigam and Prof. Won Kidane explored what we know about the legal aspects of Chinese lending, highlighting the Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya, and including the issue of the waiver of sovereign immunity and the consequences thereof.

Presenters:

• Prof. Deborah BRAUTIGAM, Director, China-Africa Research Initiative

• Prof. Won KIDANE, Associate Professor of Law, Seattle University School of Law; Fulbright Scholar

• Prof. Meg RITHMIRE, Associate Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School

Moderator:

• Mr. Kevin ACKER, Research Manager, China-Africa Research Initiative