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

'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

• 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.

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

'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

• 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.