The last ten years have seen important migratory movements from China towards Africa. The phenomenon is not well known, but comparing different sources reveals three kinds of migrations: a labor migration within the frame of public works realized by big Chinese enterprises, an entrepreneurial migration composed mainly of traders, and a proletarian migration in transit in Africa waiting for opportunities to go on to European countries. The article gives a succinct description of these migrations and explores their possible relation with the new foreign policy of the People's Republic of China.
Depuis une dizaine d'années on enregistre en direction du continent africain des mouvements migratoires importants en provenance de Chine. Le phénomène reste mal connu, cependant on peut à partir de différentes sources distinguer trois migrations de nature distincte. Une migration de main-d'œuvre dans le cadre de travaux publics réalisés par de grandes entreprises chinoises, une migration entrepreneuriale principalement composée de commerçants et une migration prolétaire en transit en Afrique dans l'attente de passages vers les pays européens. Cet article propose de les décrire succinctement et de s'interroger sur leur relation éventuelle avec la nouvelle politique extérieure de la République Populaire de Chine.
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