Maria Repnikova is associate professor in Global Communication and the William C. Pate Endowed Chair in Strategic Communication at Georgia State University.

• Preface and Acknowledgements; Part I. Theoretical and Contextual Foundations: 1. Introduction: grasping China's uneven image–making; 2. Africa in China's quest for global recognition; Part II. China's Image–Making Mechanisms in Ethiopia: 3. Tangible enticement or the power of material offerings; 4. Ideational power: not exporting a China model but legitimizing China's path; 5. Defensive image–making: guarding China narratives; Part III. Transnational and Comparative Perspective: 6. Unintended synergies: the shared longing for the west; 7. Conclusions and new research directions; Appendix I. Studying China's image–making: fieldwork reflection and guide; Appendix II. List of interviews and focus groups; Bibliography.

'As western leaders fret over China's growing global influence, Maria Repnikova provides a pioneering study of one key case: China's approach to Ethiopia. With insight and clarity Repnikova reveals a multifaceted picture of what she terms 'China's image-making'. An important book for all seeking to understand our century.' Nicholas J. Cull, USC Annenberg