From Texts to Reality: the roles of African literature in Africa-China Relations

This presentation examines the roles and significance of African literature in fostering meaningful connections between Hong Kong and Africa in the digital age. While there are numerous discussions on the macroscopic aspects of Africa-China relations, few individuals have first-hand experiences engaging with African cultures and peoples. This lack of direct interaction often leaves gaps in understanding, perpetuating stereotypes, and misconceptions. These stereotypes are sometimes reinforced by biased narratives present in media outlets. Importantly, in the digital era, these biases can be reinforced through social media, particularly through image-driven multimedia platforms. Nonetheless, African literature has a role to play in establishing and concretising concrete people-to-people engagements not only via traditional modes of literary studies but also via experimental learning and storytelling. This paper examines the roles and significance of African literature in understanding and projecting Africa-China relations, with a specific focus on Hong Kong. In particular, I will examine selected projects conducted between 2022 and 2024, where students engaged with African literary texts and participated in experiential learning activities, ultimately producing creative works in the form of storytelling. By employing the theoretical framework of experiential learning and storytelling, this paper aims to demonstrate that African literature may not have immediate tangible effects on shaping the broader landscape of Africa-China relations, but the in-depth and informed discussions it offers provide concrete experiences that could facilitate profound reflection and foster cultural exchanges. By engaging with African literature, even with limited first-hand experiences engaging with African cultures and its people, individuals can mitigate stereotypes and develop a more nuanced perspective on Africa-China relations.