Simon Züfle studied political science, history and international relations in Freiburg, Tübingen, Madrid, Moscow, Tehran and Beijing. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the research group "Doing Business in Africa" at the ESB Business School of Reutlingen University.

• 1 Introduction.- 2 State of Research - The Rise of China and the BRI.- 3 Perspective of Theory and Analysis.- 4 China's State-Civil Society Complex in the Structures of Global Order and Economy.- 5 The Material, Ideational, and Institutional Externalization of Sino-Capitalism in East Africa.- 6 The BRI as a Political Project in East Africa.- 7 Key Findings of the Paper.- 8 Conclusion and Discussion of Results.

Simon Züfle studied political science, history and international relations in Freiburg, Tübingen, Madrid, Moscow, Tehran and Beijing. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the research group "Doing Business in Africa" at the ESB Business School of Reutlingen University.

• 1 Introduction.- 2 State of Research - The Rise of China and the BRI.- 3 Perspective of Theory and Analysis.- 4 China's State-Civil Society Complex in the Structures of Global Order and Economy.- 5 The Material, Ideational, and Institutional Externalization of Sino-Capitalism in East Africa.- 6 The BRI as a Political Project in East Africa.- 7 Key Findings of the Paper.- 8 Conclusion and Discussion of Results.

Simon Züfle studied political science, history and international relations in Freiburg, Tübingen, Madrid, Moscow, Tehran and Beijing. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the research group "Doing Business in Africa" at the ESB Business School of Reutlingen University.

• 1 Introduction.- 2 State of Research - The Rise of China and the BRI.- 3 Perspective of Theory and Analysis.- 4 China's State-Civil Society Complex in the Structures of Global Order and Economy.- 5 The Material, Ideational, and Institutional Externalization of Sino-Capitalism in East Africa.- 6 The BRI as a Political Project in East Africa.- 7 Key Findings of the Paper.- 8 Conclusion and Discussion of Results.