Sino-African relations have undergone a dramatic change over the last 15 years. This shift is not the result of changes in the international system, for example the end of the cold war, but is a product of domestic factors. China’s Reform and Opening Up led to the input of privately owned and partly-state owned enterprises in Sino-African relations. Their behavior helped facilitate trade and the strengthening of economic ties, but their presence has also triggered debate in host nations. Second, African democratization has meant more domestic forces, for example civil society and political parties, have become engaged in these relations. Because Africa is in a relatively weak position compared with China, these forces “supervise” Sino-African relations to protect their own interests, and can exert significant pressure on their governments.