China’s Geodigital Power in Africa: The Case of South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53897/RevChinaGR.2024.04.05Keywords:
China, South Africa, 5G, geodigital power, Huawei and ZTEAbstract
In a digitalized world, it is not enough to have an internet connection, if it is not fast and with low latency, characteristics of 5G. This mobile network intertwines technology with security, economy and international
relations. In order to lead its global deployment, China and the US confront each other, because this innovation increases their geodigital power –understood
as participation in the standardization of the mobile network, dissemination in their territory and dispersion to other regions with impacts beyond commercial and technological–. The search for strategic countries for
the reinforcement of geodigital power, led China to South Africa, a country underestimated by the West for technological investment, but which plays a fundamental role in Africa, acting as a regional leader and a key player in
various areas.
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