China's Expanding Role in Africa

[KingJaja]

(It was also a news headline in Al Jazeera English today. Saw footage of a sizable contingent of the PLA being received by the Ugandan military).

I think the US should take a long, hard, look at its relationship with Africa and the Middle East. It is too clouded by fear, threats and hysterics for the good of Africa, the Middle East or the US itself.

Like it or not, Africa is fast becoming a Chinese area of influence (just like Central Asia is a Russian area of influence). The US spent the last decade "baiting the bear". Predictably, the Russians retaliated - and when they did (in Georgia), they used your own Iraq rules, and the result wasn't pretty.

We don't want to be caught in the middle of a super power battle for influence.

And don't tell me you only have the best of intentions, the British said the same thing (or so my grandfather would have told me).

[KingJaja]

I know the Chinese have been in Central Africa for quite some time. They even have a more colourful history in Southern Africa.

I've lived long enough to understand that the best indicator of future proxy wars is the increased profile of public engagements by the future competitors. We saw it with the Soviets and Americans and we are replaying that movie right now.

[KingJaja]

Very interesting talk given by an expert. Dispel's several myths about the Chinese.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za8euDy9n7w

[davidbfpo]

A good talk, but at 45 minutes long others may prefer a review of the professor's book:http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-en...m-1854588.html

There's also her blogsite:http://www.chinaafricarealstory.com/

[KingJaja]

I've visited her site, but am yet to read her book. She does make some very interesting points, that are shared by many educated Africans:

1. China sees Africa as an opportunity, the West sees Africa as a charity case. Consequently, many components of Western engagement are not driven by economics, but more to satisfy post-colonial guilt. For example, the US is spending $600 million on aid to Nigeria, but this money is not likely to lead to economic growth (and significant amounts of it are likely to be embezzled or spent as consulting fees).

2. China has had a consistent policy towards Africa - (to create prosperity, build a road). While the West has oscillated from "integrated rural development", to "import substitution", to "industrial development", to "structural adjustment programs" and finally now "Millennium Development Goals".

Another book making the rounds is Dead Aid, by Dambisa Moyo. In that book, there is a chapter titled The Chinese are our friends. The book raised a storm in the development community, but it resonated with most African intellectuals.

This is not to say that the Chinese don't have their faults, but fifty years of Western development policy have not produced many tangible results. True, Governments may be corrupt and institutions may be weak, but are we going to wait for corruption to be eliminated before we build roads and power stations?

There is an economic component to the future security of the African continent, and whether we like it or not, the Chinese have a role to play (probably the most important role after Africans).

[davidbfpo]

Ten years into the Look East policy, Zimbabwe is showing itself to be a not-so-satisfied customer of Chinese investment.

Link:http://www.opendemocracy.net/andrew-...ny-in-zimbabwe

[KingJaja]

Chinese involvement in Zimbabwe is neither as significant or as strategic (either to the Chinese or the Zimbabweans) as Western Media would have you believe.

On the other hand, link to a debate on China's role in Africa (organised by intelligence squared).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Dpp6...f=list_related

[AdamG]

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi hailed Africa as a "golden ground" for foreign investment, and vowed to work with Chinese firms to ensure they comply with local labour laws.
"Africa is a fertile place for foreign investors and it is a golden ground for Africa to attract foreign investors, especially for infrastructure which is the blood and muscle of a country," Yang said during a visit to Namibia.

http://news.yahoo.com/china-hails-af...GVzdAM-;_ylv=3