William Gumede - Is China becoming Africa's new colonizer? In what is reminiscent of a new scramble for Africa, China has rushed to plant its flag on the continent, offering soft credit, bricks and mortar investment and promising non-interference in local politics.
But is this all too good to be true? In November, China hosted an Africa summit in Beijing attended by 50 African leaders, the biggest showcase of China's new foreign policy shift towards the developing world. China aims to expand its political reach on the continent and secure raw materials for its rapidly growing economy. At the conference, Beijing offered Africa US$3bn in preferential loans and US$2bn in export credits over the next three years. China envisaged annual trade with Africa to reach $100bn by 2010.
Whereas Western nations such as the U.S., France and UK have slashed development aid year after year, China has promised to double aid by 2009. Most of the Chinese aid to Africa is tied to business deals. Nevertheless, China has offered aid without insisting on the onerous conditions that Western donors do. This is sweet music to African nations, who for long now have protested the hypocritical insistence of Western countries calling for Africa to open their markets while heavily subsidizing their own agriculture sectors.
China earlier this year granted Nigeria a $2.5bn loan soft loan and the Angolan government $9bn without strings. But China has also offered many African despots, such as Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe a lifeline. China has major investments in Sudan's oilfields and fiercely supports the Sudanese regime, which is responsible for an internal conflict that has seen millions killed or displaced. China worked effortlessly to water-down a United Nations resolution condemning Sudan for the bloodshed in Darfur. 
China accounts for 65% of all Sudanese oil exports and 35% of Angolan oil sold abroad. The argument can be made that many Western nations are also often quite happy to turn a blind-eye to allied undemocratic regimes, especially if there are Western oil interests to protect.
Currently, most African economies depend on one or more commodities. The Chinese dragon's big appetite for commodities has given some African economies a handy windfall. Yet very few Africans have used the extra cash to diversify their economies. To prosper, African nations need to diversify as soon as possible. Right now, most of the rich returns from commodity sales are pocketed by a handful of African ruling elites. China's strategy of making friendship by targeting leading members of African ruling parties has only encouraged this trend. The easy money China dangles in return for oil or other commodities, the more corruption rises.
On the other hand, China's interest in Africa has given African nations more options to negotiate better trade deals with Western competitors. In the past, African countries had to accept the poor deals Western countries forced on them. In terms of global politics, many Africans do see China is potential ally in a world where African interests are either ignored or dismissed by the big powers. As South African President Thabo Mbeki said, the continent has a "dire need for close friends, reliable partners and good brothers".
However, China's public, altruistic rhetoric masks its hard-nosed approach. Many Africans appear not to notice this. As a case in point, China, in spite of its stated aims to make the UN more representative, has opposed the initiatives to secure a permanent seat for Africa on the UN Security Council.
In Latin America, China similarly bestowed on Brazil "favorite nation" status but Brazil nevertheless discovered that despite this, their products faced huge tariff barriers in China. China promised to invest billions of dollars in infrastructure projects in Brazil, but this was very slow to materialize. Another sticking point was that China insisted on bringing Chinese nationals as work crews, instead of transferring skills to locals. This type of treatment already has caused sore points across Africa. Many African businesses complain Chinese companies dump cheap end-of-the-line stocks, often bypassing customs and import duties. Not only does this drive locals out of business, the cheap items are often of poor quality. The influx of cheap Chinese goods to Africa decimates the struggling local manufacturing industry.
In South Africa, official figures shows that cheap Chinese textiles have led to the loss of at least 67,000 jobs the past 4 years. South African unions have lobbied their government, who is busy negotiating a free trade deal with China to include clauses committing China to respect minimum labor, human rights and environmental standards. Most African countries, just like South Africa, export the capital-intensive commodities or raw materials that China hungers for, and import labor-intensive manufactured goods from China. So, the rise in exports to China typically generates few jobs, while imports from China take away jobs. If this continues, argues South African President Thabo Mbeki, the African continent could be "condemned to underdevelopment" and "recolonization". Africans should heed the warning.
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Let us be true to ourselves and to the world.China,s colonization is true only to the extent that it has occupied Tibet illegally,suppressed Tibetans inhumanly and enslaved them without mercy.The West should have checked them than but Truman had other subordinated priorties because of exhaustion of West following second world war.Now China cannot physically occupy Africa but has extended help to Africa both to help them and also to fish in troubled waters for its own advantage.China has no history of exploiting Africans for that matter, even Tibetans on unequal basis.Thus its record in this matter appears to be better than West excluding America.Western counties have exploited the Africans in the past exactly in the same manner as as any big fish does it to smaller fish.At the same time African themselves cannot remain without stigma,They have produced leadres who were not only human flesh eaters but also never tried to learn lessons from those Westerners who meant good for them and tried their best to bring for them a decent way of living.Africans too have been guilty of selective ungratefulness as they have been to India during Indo-China war of 1962.During this war only one country Ethiopia under Haile Selassie openly supported India .This was despite India had been in forefront in extending support to them throughout in their struggle against the European Colonialists.America has never colonised any country in the world .FDR was quite anxious and eager to see a new world economic order after the second war and pressed Churchill to grant freedon to all the opressed people,unfortunately for the rest of world he died when he was required most.But no body seems to remember that.The only mistake America has committed was to go for wars which was not theirs and get involved in infamy because of its vested interests.The Chinese aid to Africa is going to fatten laters strange selfish leaders but quite possibly the benfits will spillover to its poor people in the form of jobs and cheap goodies.Let them try where rest have failed.Best of luck
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June 4, 2007 8:55 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on June 4, 2007 20:55
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June 4, 2007 8:54 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on June 4, 2007 20:54
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June 4, 2007 8:51 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on June 4, 2007 20:51
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June 4, 2007 8:51 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on June 4, 2007 20:51
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June 4, 2007 8:49 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on June 4, 2007 20:49
otmnksfpr cuaeo flyvuqka yrgjk jekixnhc fodrqwgpb pfgsejau http://www.gxlb.eavzbxfj.com
June 4, 2007 8:48 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on June 4, 2007 20:48
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June 4, 2007 8:47 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on June 4, 2007 20:47
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February 19, 2007 11:51 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on February 19, 2007 23:51
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February 19, 2007 11:50 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on February 19, 2007 23:50
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February 19, 2007 11:50 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on February 19, 2007 23:50
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February 19, 2007 11:50 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on February 19, 2007 23:50
How many articles on China in Africa parroting the exact same story does one world need? Where's the analysis or the commentary? I'm waiting for the day when I open a link to an article of this kind of title that tells me something I didn't already know.
So yes, I agree with the word "yawning" as a descriptor.
January 15, 2007 9:38 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on January 15, 2007 21:38
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January 13, 2007 12:02 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on January 13, 2007 00:02
China is Welcome in Africa, after all China was our friend for centries, and they mind their own business, they don't call us savages or bomb our people with airplanes, they came in peace and leave us in peace, therefore they are more than welcome to Africa, however British and their ilk are not welcome!
January 2, 2007 2:47 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on January 2, 2007 14:47
Colonizing? Not necessarily. Remember what happened when the communists took over power in China in 1949? Many African countries recognized China and they were the crucial driving force for China's return to the United Nations! Appreciative of unforgettable support of the African nations, China has made a lot of contributions to Africa. Regardless of any country, it is only natural to get profits and benefits while doing business in any place. Chen Yang
January 2, 2007 12:02 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on January 2, 2007 12:02
I realize none of discussion in the forum ever touches social infrastructure of African countries and Africa Continent's soil.
Since the White savaged the continent and shipped its people to American Continent, the social infrastructure of African people has been whipped out. Culture, the fundamental component of social infrastructure, is destroyed. Africans in Africa Continent and Diaspora Africans lose their root because of destruction of their culture bought by the White. How is going to bring Africa prosperity if the culture is destroyed?
Unlike soil in Asia, Europe, North America and South America, most Africa's soil is not suitable for agriculture. Thus, clan systems and hunter-gather societies are scattered among the continent. Under such social arrangements, it is hardly to develop trades among these clans and hunter-gathers. Confrontation and wars replace a wage for peace that is a key to sustain in agriculture society. Probably this is the reason that so many wars and confrontations exist in Africa today. A wage for peace, through the evolution of human history, is a process that is tied to development of agriculture. Africa lacks of this process, a rational explanation that cooperation among clans and hunter-gathers hardly develops.
The above analysis indicates that we cannot blame Africans or their leaders for Africa behind other continents. Natural blessing prevents them from cooperating in history and enslaving Africans by the colonial powers ruins their cultures.
January 1, 2007 10:47 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on January 1, 2007 10:47
Africa has an abundance of natural resources we however,have a shortage of skilled lobour,capital,technology and fare markets.China brings into Africa what it needs.What do you Inteligent people think?China is doing business i just hope that African leaders/politicians are signing these deals with Africans future
at heart.Gideon Kumwenda.
January 1, 2007 7:59 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on January 1, 2007 07:59
What kind of message is the author sending?China is an answered prayer for Africa atleast for the time being.After sober thouhgts,William(Auther)and President Mbeki are right.Africa will become a slave to China.We will borrow and fail to repay.What looks like fair business now will enslave us 50 to 100 years down the line.The sad part is that as Africans we have needless to say NO CHOICE but china trade.If not then stringtouched handouts form the Westand Europe.By G kumwenda.
January 1, 2007 7:46 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on January 1, 2007 07:46
Beijing has pressed history to promote its economic agenda, attempting to win African sympathy by emphasizing the common history of exploitation China and African nations have suffered at the hands of Western colonialists. This is a common theme in the pages of African newspapers, where commentators argue that Western investors exploit Africa, while Chinese companies tend to invest in businesses that are beneficial.
http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=5106
January 1, 2007 7:21 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on January 1, 2007 07:21
I don't think anyone ever suggested otherwise. As long as the incentives -- good and bad -- that are produced by a particular mode of investment are understood...we are in agreement.
December 31, 2006 4:20 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 31, 2006 16:20
Thats fair enough. And Africans will determine for themselves whether they will accept such investments.
December 31, 2006 3:55 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 31, 2006 15:55
I am saying: it is up to investors to take account of their actions. It is actually a very simple point.
December 31, 2006 3:48 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 31, 2006 15:48
There is very little difference in how investment enters one country versus another. Now you are saying that Africa is unable to comprehend the benefits and costs of business opportunities and that it is up the investors to determine what is best for Africa instead of Africans themselves.
December 31, 2006 3:36 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 31, 2006 15:36
African leaders can look after their own purse. But willful blindness to the possible negative effects of one's manner of investment is ethically bankrupt. This is the case whether the US, China, or other, is the funding source.
Markets do not magically allocate investments to productive ends in the absence of institutions to ensure that process. So FDI does not enter Africa the same way it enters elsewhere. The manner in which investment enters countries depends upon the particular institutional portfolio of that country. Among African states, of course, there is huge variation in this regard.
The choice to totally ignore these particular contexts is just that...a choice. It should be subject to the same scrutiny as any other policy decision, instead of ignoring the issue altogether.
December 31, 2006 2:53 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 31, 2006 14:53
The FDI enters Africa the same way it enters anywhere else. You and others just feel Africa cant look after her own purse.
December 31, 2006 1:01 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 31, 2006 13:01
It is not an either/or question. I don't think anyone in this forum has ever disputed the benefits of investment. It is about HOW the investment occurs.
December 31, 2006 10:01 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 31, 2006 10:01
Western countries always protect human rights. They have built a seven star hotel in Guantanamo for islamists. Food, water and the Coran is freely available. They even have built metallic cages to protect the islamists.
Chinese always violate human rights. They would kill all African leaders if they refuse their money. POOR Africans, they have no choice.....
December 31, 2006 4:03 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 31, 2006 04:03
Which country does not violate human right in this world? Certainly, not the Western countries. They go to IRAQ as volunteers to become human targets for Islamists. They make Islamists hunters happy people.
On the other side, Chinese are horrible creatures. They give money to the African countries because they do have space to keep it in China.
December 31, 2006 3:39 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 31, 2006 03:39
Oh no, China is buying oil from undemocratic regimes that violate human rights - the horror!
Anybody ever heard of Saudi Arabia? Try to be a woman there and see how you bunch of hypocrites feel about the U.S. preaching about China buying oil from Mugabe et al.
December 31, 2006 2:52 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 31, 2006 02:52
Nonetheless, both countries would be better off with FDI than without.
December 31, 2006 1:32 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 31, 2006 01:32
Government corruption exists, on some level, in all states. But I think it is important to identify the kind and degree of state corruption. Random comparisons (Thailand vs. Nigeria, for instance) aren't particularly enlightening.
December 31, 2006 12:23 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 31, 2006 00:23
All of Asia has experienced corruption scandals in one form or another. Thailand recently had its own elected president removed by its own military because of his personal dealings. To suggest that Thailand had no economic benefit over these several years and now must be kept under a watchful eye when other nations do business with it is absurd. No one has suggested that all incoming funds to Thailand should be held and watched by nonThais since Thais are too corrupt to look after their own government revenue.
In any case, no matter how corrupt African states might be, economic activity spurred by foreign investment is better than no economic activity at all.
December 30, 2006 11:35 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 23:35
Why not? Let the yellows try where whites failed. Blacks are stupid. The BLACK author who wrote this article is an example of such stupidity.
December 30, 2006 10:15 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 22:15
well then, let's party!
December 30, 2006 9:54 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 21:54
China is not colonizing africa or any where else. The white suprimacists in Europe colonized africa, india, china and every one else, becasue they believe they are a better race than others. Colonizing a country happens when you send armies and kill weaker people like what is happening in iraq now. China is building factories in africa and doing buisness.
One more thing, in 15 years china will be the new super power.
December 30, 2006 9:37 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 21:37
China is not colonizing africa or any where else. The white suprimacists in Europe colonized africa, india, china and every one else, becasue they believe they are a better race than others. Colonizing a country happens when you send armies and kill weaker people like what is happening in iraq now. China is building factories in africa and doing buisness.
December 30, 2006 9:35 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 21:35
Government elites exist in every country in the world. But the nature of that elite, how it came into existence, and the practices that constrain it, differ radically. That might suggest that political elites in Asia and Africa, regions with very different historical experiences, operate according to very different norms. Although some local state elites in China, for instance, have engaged in impressive predation over the past few years, they fail to rival the scale of state predation that has occurred historically in many African states.
Given this, even if competition between consumers and suppliers is a good thing, must it take such a potentially harmful form? Surely, China can obtain lucrative infrastructure contracts, as well as plentiful oil supplies, while cooperating with organizations, such as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which attempt to reduce the loss of resource revenues due to state corruption.
The issue isn't competition, but why does competition have to take this particular form.
December 30, 2006 8:50 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 20:50
Exploitation? Yes. Colonization? ??
The more forceful approach is generally considered colonization. That might include an invasion of Iraq to secure OIL.
December 30, 2006 7:47 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 19:47
The government elite exists in every country in the world. Civil officials in Africa arent the only people vulnerable to lobbies and bribes. Corruption has increased in Asia too due to globalization and international trade, but the economies in Asia continue to move forward.
No one is expecting a squeeky clean government and there may be misappropriation of funds by each national government within Africa, but competition between consumers and suppliers is better than no competition at all, all things being equal.
December 30, 2006 4:21 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 16:21
The African countries have always blamed Europe for their problems of poverty because during colonization natural resources were mined for virtually no compensation. Fifty years after the end of colonization Africa is still blaming europe. Now, they are blaming China too. The only thing China has done is to buy natural resources from Africa. Would Africa be better off if nobody bot their natural resources? Why dont they look at their own dictators who steal billions and place the blame where it belongs.
December 30, 2006 3:59 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 15:59
It'd take an exquisite deft hand of foreign policy to handle China's increasing print in the world. But what does the US have? George W. Bush finagled by the Jewish neocons, fighting in the middle east for Israel's domintion of the Middle East. China, and Africa, for that matter may well thrive in this century compared to the US and even Europe. They have one great advantage. No Israeli firsters, no greedy "neocons" distorting every economic effort.
December 30, 2006 3:55 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 15:55
Surely the Post can afford to send William Gamede to some local JC to take an English grammar course.
As for China in Africa, let the competition begin more conflict, not less.
December 30, 2006 2:07 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 14:07
In regard to the "when banks compete, the consumer wins" argument: who is the consumer? The political elite, or the citizens of the country?
During the Cold War, the US and the USSR competed for influence in Africa. The US, to its discredit, funnelled money to leaders like Mobutu in Zaire, who stashed billions in foreign bank accounts. The US was dead wrong to pursue this kind of policy. Is it so hard to admit that a similar blindness to the uses of foreign aid is wrong for the Chinese government, too?
December 30, 2006 2:04 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 14:04
Excuse me...Multipolar world so that there will be a more perfect competition for supply and demand in the African trade.
December 30, 2006 12:59 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 12:59
That doesnt make any sense Tovarich. What does this have to do with Taiwan? Whose map once included all of China and outer Mongolia.
In any case it is free trade and better. Historically we have never had such high demand for commodities thus a windfall for third world countries that distributed such materials. Trading partners were limited to a few big trading nations in the form of the IMF and the World Bank. Now offers and deals can also come in the form of Chinese loans and Chinese purchases. As a nation in Africa you are still given the option to accept IMF offers and agreements, and then there is a second lender that is also competing for your attention. When banks compete, the consumer wins. The only thing better is a more multilateral world where every nation in the world can throw capital around in Africa offering more competitive deals.
December 30, 2006 12:56 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 12:56
Yeah, right. Like the West has done right by Africa. It's so typical of the hypocrisy of the West that we get op-ed opinions like this.
December 30, 2006 12:37 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 12:37
Islam is colonizing Africa. China is colonizing Tibet. White people aren't colonizing anything.
December 30, 2006 11:57 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 11:57
China's purpose may not be to save their African comrades, but any competition is good for those whose allegiance (or money, goods, output, market) is sought. African leaders would be well-advised to band together as much as possible to make foreign investors compete for the right to invest, as opposed to letting investors play them off one another.
December 30, 2006 10:36 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 10:36
Is China still receiving US subsidies? When they launched a space mission a few years ago, I remember reading that they were still receiving US subsidies, and reacted quite harshly to calls by members of congress (I do not remember which ones) that the payments should cease. From what I read above, China does not appear to need any free money.
December 30, 2006 10:30 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 10:30
If China do not help Africa then Bin Laden will come in. The Whites would be slaughtered like pigs.
December 30, 2006 10:15 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 10:15
If China do no help Africa then Bin Laden will come in. The Whites would be slaughtered like pigs.
December 30, 2006 10:15 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 10:15
China is pursuing economically and geopolitically strategic arrangements in Africa. These could benefit Africans, but I expect most won't; however, they will benefit China, since it is in the position to arrange the best deals for itself and its companies.
Once people fretted about Japan, Inc. taking over national economies, but China, Inc. with its one-party state, its massive and wisely accumulated cash reserves (but shaky banking system, looming pension and loan troubles, and (in places) dubious accounting) and history of running businesses through its military is more unified in pursuing national objectives. How many Chinese business leaders will act against China's explicit and implicit national strategies, given what could happen to them back home in China?
It's not "colonization" but it won't be free trade either. It'll be "scratch Big Man's back, put money in his pals' European bank accounts (or hire only his people, or give them the kickbacks), and get very favorable terms." The question will become whether African nations can set up regional free-trade areas, develop strong legal systems protect property rights, and institute capital-accumulation-friendly tax systems, among other things.
For those who claim China is a benevolent socialist utopia helping Africa out of the kindness of its Communist heart, I guess your car has one of those "Keep Tibet Progressive" bumper stickers on it, eh? You're probably not a Uighur, Chinese Muslim, Russian in the Amur River border area, or Taiwanese either.
I can't vouch for the quote's validity, but Ho Chi Minh reportedly clarified China's historical foreign policy among its neighbors with a quote along the lines of "It's better to eat French sh*t (i.e., suffer post-WW2 French return) for a few years than Chinese sh*t forever."
Chinese of all nationalities usually work hard and save, which is how economic success is won. I applaud China's economic growth, but Taiwan has been doign these same sorts of things to try to gain international diplomatic support in the face of endless Chinese aggression. Yet nobody worries about Taiwanese firms and foreign aid (as opposed to Communist Chinese), with good reason: Taiwan doesn't invade others, doesn't oppress its own people, doesn't aid repulsive regimes like Sudan and North Korea.
December 30, 2006 10:04 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 10:04
Even though China discovered Africa centuries earlier than the latter Western greedy draconian sub-human species.
They'd never enslayed the natives, and cargoed and shipped'em to Euro and US as cheap labor and worked in "Gulap" conditions.Even George Washington'd proudly owned 300 slaves.
The brutal killing and mutilation of the first democratically elected African president by Belgium
govt could only be compared to the Furer's treating other human beings.
The West'd never intended to improve African's life.Even South Africa'd become heaven for the arm and army mercenaries, western diamond, goldmines and they controlled natural resources and financial and commercial interests.S.Africa's still only a clone of the Western Colonial Master.
China would never do that.
Why not give African a chance to survive in the western-dominated world.
December 30, 2006 9:56 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 09:56
Same economic church different
pew .
China is playing the same game the Europeans do . China exploits its own people ,only a fool would expect them not to treat Africans even worse . Just look at Tibet for an example of Chinese treatment of non Chinese.
People will do to you what you allow them to . Africans leaders need to decide whether they are going to allow the rest of the world to pimp them . It is time Pan-Africanism became more than a dream in the minds of a few good men and women .
December 30, 2006 9:47 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 09:47
The author is on point. Anyone that has done business with Chinese has come to understand that there is never any honesty in their business dealings. As one of the most corrupt countries in the world it is an everyday experience to see someone pay off a government official in exchange for polluting the drinking water of the people in the district under that official's control. Based on the view of Africans in Chinese text books as uneducated and uncivilized we can not expect Chinese to treat African countries much differently.
December 30, 2006 9:29 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 09:29
Surely China is helping Africa !!
Perhaps they noticed the failure of the rest of the world powers to do somethng to help Africa out of the wasteland that the post- colonial continent became!
December 30, 2006 7:41 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 07:41
This is possibly a good development, as a counter-force to the colonizing by the islamists that has been going on ever since the European colonial powers gave up.
December 30, 2006 7:36 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 07:36
Yonkers, NY, 30 Dec. 2006. No. That is the simple answer to the author's question QUOTE IS CHINA COLONIZING AFRICA?UNQUOTE. The truth is that in its relentless drive to modernize and catch up with the West economically, China needs all that Africa has in terms of oil and minerals but the big difference between what the former European colonizers did in the past and what China is now doing is that those European colonizers simply grabbed what Africa got WITHOUT PAYING FOR THEM while on the other hand China is PAYING FOR ALL THAT IT IS GETTING FROM AFRICA ON MUTUALLY AGREEABLE TERMS. What is more, China is offering African countries sizable loans IN THE BILLIONS PER COUNTRY without the strings which Western aid and financial institutions routinely impose on such loans. It is of course inevitable that China will become a major player in Africa. It remains to be seen whether its financial and economic clout automatically translates into political leverage. Mariano Patalinjug. MarPatalinjug@aol.com
December 30, 2006 5:56 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 05:56
The British Empire was greater than the US because there was at least one Union Jack somewhere in the world that was under sunlight exposure.
December 30, 2006 5:55 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 05:55
Chineseview:
There was a global superpower on the scale of the United States in 1865. It was called the British Empire.
December 30, 2006 5:18 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 05:18
muskrat; Example: Bush DOUBLED aid to many Afican nations. Where does it end up - with the corrupt leaders.
I'm sorry, muskrat, but you really must stop reading the press clippings and start relying on your own eyes and investigative work.
When one takesa hard look at the numbers, Bush's 'doubling' includes 9% of new money. A far cry from 'doubling'. That amounts to around $800m in new spending. Most of the 'doubling' Bush promised is money to be provided anyway through the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) and the AIDS promise. It's also interesting to note that very little of the money for the AIDS initiative has been disbursed yet and it's been 3 years since it was announced.
Basically, not only was the promise wildly inaccurate and solely meant for scoring political points among the ignorant at home, without actual delivery, it's an empty claim.
You'd do well to remember there's a VAST difference between the claims of politicians and reality.
December 30, 2006 5:17 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 05:17
America was successful in bringing a Florida-style democracy to Iraq. I wonder what song Bush would play on his guitar if Hurricane Katrina hit Africa.
December 30, 2006 4:38 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 04:38
African leaders may be corrupt and brutal in Western eyes, but they are the products of history and circumstances.
If in 1865 there was a superpower like modern day US, Lincoln would surely be condemned as a brutal dictator or even war criminal for forcefully suppressing the Confederacy rebellion, causing one million casualties (3% of the population).
Every nation (including the US) must run its own course of history and development, however inhumane it may sometimes be. China, having been through over 100 years of foreign invasion and internal conflict, understand this deeply. That's why it never imposes its own standards on others.
December 30, 2006 3:41 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 03:41
Whether you interpret colonization as the act or process of establishing a colony, or as merely to increase influence over Africa by political and economical power would not please typical westerners(Mr Havin alike) or "history-educated people". They think (rightly) that colonization stuff has been and will always be westerners' business and they will never accept the fact that China will dominate the world in the 21st century.
Mr HLY and his history-educated people should take a look at the website:http://www.1421.tv/ in which an admirable British has been working on a remarkable project that would, if succeeded, rewrite the history of New World Discovery, including Columbia's America.
I would also like to suggest that Mr Havin to travel to small towns in Burundi(my US college pal's home country) where you will bump into some "Black Chinese" or Chinese Africans. They are the descendants of Chinese workers who were sent there(and other poor African countries) to help build rail roads during the 70's and some married to locals and settled down in the country.
I'm not a Chinese national or pro China. But whether you like it or not, China, with megaeconomy growing at a rate of over 10% annually, and with close to one trillion foreign reserves, will soon become one of the two world's superpowers.
Welcome to the real world, westerner/white supremacists: face and live with the ever-changing world or move to Mountain Home, Arkansas.
December 30, 2006 3:17 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 03:17
Africans are the most stupid, lazy-ass people on the face of the earth. The problem with Africa is Africans. If Asians or any other non-African people come to Africa, it can only be an improvement. Of course they will be accused of exploiting the natives. The indiginous people of Africa are incapable of comprehending any benefit that other people achieve through the process of being intelligent and productive organisms. This is a trait that they share with western liberal idiots like the writers here at the Washington Post.
December 30, 2006 1:59 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 01:59
Yep, Jim Rob and Mauri. Same here in America it seems too unfortunately. Everyone needs to look in the mirror once in a while...
December 30, 2006 1:57 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 01:57
Jim Rockford. I somewhat agree with you.
I am of Chinese origin whose family emigrated from China to Mauritius a century years ago. Mauritius has a population of 1.2 millions consisting of 80% from Asian origin (Indians/Chinese) + a few % from Europe. The rest around 15% from African origin.
The bare truth is that a century ago our families left their countries because they were poor. We were treated as slaves by the English masters (colonialism).
The Asians and Europeans (Whites) worked very hard, educated their children and now they can be considered rich or middle-class, enjoying a type of life equalling European middle-class (A home of at least 200 m2 + all imaginable amenities + latest craze - LCD TV + new Sedan Car every 7 years + family holidays in Asia or Europe every 4-5 years). Additionally at least one of their children is in Europe or US for Higher studies.
The population of African origin is still very poor. They did not educate their children and still depends on the Government for a low class house. They live a day-to-day life, enjoying festive Week-Ends and spend all their money. Culturally these people of African origin do not have a business mentality. Its not their fault. But thanks to Asians/Europeans who econmically developed the country to one of the richest in Africa, the people of African origin in Mauritius enjoys a better life than those in Africa.
It is not the fault of Chinese to come in Africa and do what African cannot do by themslselves. At least they will get some share of the benefits and live a better life. Its a WIN-WIN situation.
I know that if there were only Africans in Mauritius our standard of life would be as low as Madagascar (our neighbor) which is one of the poorest in the world.
December 30, 2006 12:17 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 30, 2006 00:17
IT IS SCARY HOW FOR OIL NATIONS LOOK THE OTHER WAY WHEN BRUTAL KILLINGS HAPPEN ALL AROUND THEM. MAN, IT'S UNFORTUNATE. AND REALLY GUTLESS.
December 29, 2006 11:22 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 23:22
After spending more than 2 decades in Africa, I can assure you that no matter what you have to say about the US or China and their various ambitions in Africa, the problem with Africa is all self made. The first person to disagree with this simple premise is either ignorant or a liar.
African leaders are corrupt, dictatorial bullys. Their subjects are uneducated and unwilling to stand up to them. This creates the perfect environment for exploitation. The perfect example of this is Mugabe. How many African leaders want him to step down? Who has spoken up?
Grow up Africa. The rest of the planet has moved on.
December 29, 2006 10:41 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 22:41
Africa is a pit and will always remain so. It is a pit of tribalism, "big man" ism, corruption, and stupidity on a scale to defy belief. One example: Thabo Mbeki, South Africa's PM, believes AIDS is caused by "spores" ... a common South African practice is to rape virgin girls in a belief it will "cure" AIDS.
Tribal superstion and ignorant witchdoctory do not a civilization make. THAT not Western Colonialism (which was appalling) is the heart of Africa's problems (and always has been).
King Leopold ran the Congo as his own personal slave state; the number of Congolese during his rule halved under his slave regime that would have appalled the Romans. Yet the Taipeng Revolt killed more in a era of muzzle loading weapons.
WHY?? Did China and Singapore and South Korea and Taiwan and Malaysia and Thailand all achieve very remarkable economic progress while Africa languished in brutal witchdoctory ... WHY?
Because the Chinese and Asian strongmen may have been theiving bastards, but they were at least intelligent theiving bastards who understood they could steal more if their people became richer. And they weren't superstitious witchdoctors like Mbeki.
African cultures devalue education, science, technology, in favor of bravado and superstition. Ladies and Gentlemen I give you General Buck Naked and the Buck Naked Brigade.
China merely recognizes that Africa is a source of cheap labor, cheap raw materials for value-added Chinese manufacture, and easily exploited by their superstitious and ignorant/blustery leaders. A continent where people actually believe that shaking hands with a White or Christian will cause their penises to drop off is easily exploited.
Even South Korea in the late fifties, recovering from a massive war and suffering under a theiving tyrant, invested in science and technology and has leveraged that investment into a very good standard of living today. Africa has produced nothing in the way of scientific research or new technology.
China will bleed Africa of it's meager resources, sell it a lot of cheap junk, and leave it's people (if possible) even poorer and more ignorant than before.
[Africa is so bad Zimbabweans have four times the death rates of Iraqis, and would love to move to Iraq where they have a far better chance of surviving. That's the pathetic hopelessness of Africa. FOUR TIMES WORSE THAN IRAQ.]
December 29, 2006 10:13 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 22:13
oh jeez, this article is really coming out of the right mouth..
December 29, 2006 10:12 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 22:12
While I don't agree with everything the article asserts and I sympathize with Muari on the issue of Western trade tariffs and agricultural subsidies, do we really have to call Gumede an "idiot" and turn our noses up at his English? Good grief.
December 29, 2006 10:05 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 22:05
The author seems to have a vocabulary problem. This is most apparent in the headline. "Colonizing" a territory consists of invading it and imposing a government of the conqueror's choosing in order to secure access to the local industrial and agricultural commodities. Obtaining commodities by paying money to the locals responsible for producing them is normally referred to as "trade" or "trading." So the headline should read "China Trading With Africa?"
Seriously, though, this article is sensationalized horse manure. And its badly written. For example, the sentence "China envisaged annual trade with Africa to reach $100bn by 2010," has so many problems its almost pure gibberish.
December 29, 2006 10:04 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 22:04
Since China discovered America in the year 1421, according to Gavin Menzies highly credible history, left settlements here with Chinese inscribed markers dated in their system of dating and were apparently the first to circumnavigate the world, what is soooo surprising about Africa. I believe, before I could read Chinese, I saw such a pillar near Asmara, Ethiopia in 1964 and Asmara is at about 8,000 feet, if I recall.
December 29, 2006 9:54 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 21:54
The fact that washington post find this idiot black person write this article, is to hide its not so good intentions. The author is a puppet who is trying to get attention from west. Since when a free trade pact is colonization? Nobody is pointing to a gun at anyone. If you buy a banana from a farmer, are you colonizing the farmer or the farmer colonizing you? what a idiot.
December 29, 2006 9:47 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 21:47
Authors assertions are grounded in truth for you can only expect to be on the losing end (from African perspective) when dealing with a super power like China that puts respect for basic human rights of its citizens secondary to imperative of building economic might. But the real question is what is the alternative? The West just don't have any respect for Africa aside for its resources and tourist attraction. Most African Nations don't have the internal strength for protectionist policy even if their governments were squeaky clean.
December 29, 2006 9:43 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 21:43
Peter. You're right to see everything globally. Good analysis.
December 29, 2006 8:30 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 20:30
America keeps fighting wars china will making friends
December 29, 2006 8:18 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 20:18
In response to Mauri's comment: there are many factors contributing to poor development outcomes. Pointing to one important factor does not negate the importance of other factors. So, yes, institutions are critical. And, yes, there is considerable empirical evidence that weak institutions contribute to slow development in many African states. Does this mean EU and US agricultural subsidies don't matter? No, these surely impede development. Does this mean high consultancy fees don't matter? Also, no. But this doesn't change the critical importance of political institutions (I'm not talking about "let's everybody democratize!") for ensuring the oil revenues go for productive ends.
December 29, 2006 8:18 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 20:18
It's a wonderful thing to see so many people responding to this article. I couldn't be happier to see this number of concerned individuals and this is what makes the new type of dominance different of that of the past (by USA and Europe), still Africa and Latin America are on their own and very dependable on foreign policy by the superpower. One thing is inevitable: the downfall of the United States and the emerging of the this new super power China. Get used to the idea.And it will all be the same sh*t. China or USA, I'd like to see china, just for a change.
December 29, 2006 8:16 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 20:16
It has been stated that financial help cannot be given without transparency because African political institutions are corrupt. Is it true? Can it be proven?
The truth is that when the WEST give money they have already taken a big part of it through consultancy services and lots of preliminary reports. This takes years before any project could start.
Why blame African instititions being corrupt and unabled to succeed?
December 29, 2006 8:06 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 20:06
This is free trade, no nation is being forced into a transaction at gunpoint. In any case every nation has a right to refuse the sale of natural resources and also has the right to refuse the purchase of foreign goods if they are in the process of overtaking marketshare because domestic consumers prefer foreign products over domestic ones.
China's relationship with the states of Africa are mutual. The PLA doesnt shock and awe anyone in the region to opening up their domestic markets.
December 29, 2006 7:59 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 19:59
Mauri:
Peter is not talking about the problems you're referring to.
To make a claim that "politics and democracy alone do not feed people" is a crude and unconstructive comment.
Peter wasn't saying that democracy feeds people. He's talking about non-responsive, corrupt governments that take foreign aid and misuse it. This is a serious problem that cannot be overlooked.
You too are looking at separate problems, but you cannot say that his problem does not cause poverty but yours does. Both issues are important causal factors.
December 29, 2006 7:33 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 19:33
We should leave the african people to judge whether China is "colonizing" Africa. People in the west like you and me sitting in front of the computer have no right to do so.
December 29, 2006 7:27 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 19:27
Delighted with this short treatise. Hope to have more. It is also true that China's overtures to middle eastern countries is proceeding apace. But of course the US foreign policy, courtesy of GWB and the neocons, is busy trying to help Israel take over the middle east. And it's all going so well.
But glad Africa and Africans have some help, from wherever.
December 29, 2006 7:20 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 19:20
Peter. Politics and democracy alone does not feed hungry people and gives work.
I live in the very democratic Island of Mauritius. Recently, the European Union decided to reduce the price of sugar by 36%. (The island would loose US$ 100 million per year). The sugar cane industry is near bankruptcy and more than 10,000 would be jobless soon.
On the other side, high oil prices has seriously affected the economy.
The Europeans is not proposing any financial help. How can we reject an offer of US$300 million dollar investment by Chinese companies to create an industrial zone in Mauritius?
December 29, 2006 7:14 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 19:14
hmmm. Too late. There is nothing to save in Africa. The West has already suck it dry.
December 29, 2006 6:59 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 18:59
China's investment in Africa's infrastructure seems like a good thing. But China's willingness to ignore all governance standards...maybe not so beneficial. The weakness of political institutions explains a lot of wasted foreign aid in Africa. Just when there seems to be acceptance by most African leaders of the need for institutions to enhance transparency in foreign aid, China starts writing blank checks.
The question is not whether China is worse than the West in its foreign aid motives and policies, but what are the likely effects of China's new foreign aid in Africa. In terms of political institutions, the effects appear less than beneficial.
December 29, 2006 6:50 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 18:50
The Chinese are pure RACIST. Trust me and are only in Africa to suck the continent dry..SIMPLE. African technocrats and intellectuals desperately NEED to wake UP and save this wonderful place and it's people. We re tired of patronization!!!
December 29, 2006 6:50 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 18:50
vova. If American and Canadians have replaced the indians (indigenious population) why should Chinese not replace Aficans?
They will become yellow Africans?
December 29, 2006 6:47 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 18:47
I think the auther have the right to his opinion.China in africa is more business and political strategies than a colonizing sentiment
December 29, 2006 6:45 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 18:45
I wonder which part of the world invented the word "colonization", then I wonder why is china colonizing africa while the others stayed back (or do they?)..
December 29, 2006 6:33 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 18:33
Clean & Tidy
Go A, Frica
December 29, 2006 6:31 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 18:31
Since a few years ago I have this feeling that People Republic's obvious interest in Africa is of more sinister kind than just raw materials. The Chinese are getting ready to settle the continent in case AIDS leads to depopulation of parts of Southern Africa.
December 29, 2006 6:29 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 18:29
The entire continent of Africa is the envy of all industrialized Western nations, China and other Asian nations. It has the 4 most strategic metals in the world (chromium, cobalt, manganese, and platinum). Has the best and largest supply of diamonds in the world. It now has the largest amount of crude oil in the world. It has huge abundance of medicinal plants and animals that other nations have been exploiting for a long time. It produces the largest amount of cocoa beans and best coffee beans in the world. It has the youngest most populated workforce in the world. It has the longest river in the world and is 30 billion square kilometers in size with huge agricultural and other production potential. It is also ground zero for the biological weapons of HIV/AIDS and Ebola.
Overall, China is good for Africa. The African Union and NEPAD must firm up the centralized structure to reduce the cheaper Chinese goods. China & Africa is the path. African Diaspora must invest in Africa NOW! America is financially broke.
December 29, 2006 6:27 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 18:27
If the US support the Saudis and some middle-east dictatorial regimes then Why should China not support the Sudanese?
December 29, 2006 6:13 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 18:13
Africans should first have sex with Chinese then let the Chinese colonize Africa. Then we will have Black Chinese and Chinese Africans. Then we all can do business, you know, Global Trade.
December 29, 2006 5:49 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 17:49
The author would be wiser to change the title of the article into: Is China Exploiting Africa? instead of colonizing.
My Answer is NO. China is offering Africa business opportunities that did not exist before. Most Africans are grateful.
I don't understand the mentality of the West who always give lessons to the third world (I guess it is typical of colonization mentality).
December 29, 2006 5:43 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 17:43
Hosever, China is wrong to support the janjaweed in Darfur. Perhaps, China need to reconsider it's actions in Darfur. China decided to do the same thing the Europeans has done to take advantage of a situation. Keep factional fighting and steal the country's natural resources.
December 29, 2006 5:42 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 17:42
Kolo, please tell me you don't really think that the term colonizer is restricted to use on "WHITE" people?
Really...your not serious are you? In order to have a meaningful discussion we have to be able to think in more broad terms than the way it has been used "historically" (though I question the validity of even that statement).
December 29, 2006 5:28 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 17:28
Question; Which country or region of the world has the most corrupt leadership, China or Africa?
December 29, 2006 5:22 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 17:22
Some people do not understand what the word colonization means. Historically, COLONIZATION means a WHITE people Governing a foreign country. Example: An Englishman or French man acting as Governor in an African country. (It's by force).
I don't think that a Chinese will be acting as Governor or President in an African country (By force, I mean).
December 29, 2006 5:17 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 17:17
African leaders are wise people. They do business with China because they do not have any choice. The West is spending so much money in WARS that do not have the financial muscle to help African countries. My dear White Wild West, STOP blaming China. I think its jealousy.....
December 29, 2006 5:09 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 17:09
Those of you who argue that China is just conducting "business" or "trade" are being disengenuous. The Chinese and African governments, as well as the ruling and business elite who stand to profit, know that the nature of these agreements will lead to the dependence of African nations on China.
Any agreement that sets out to have a capital poor country export its natural resources without tying in reinvestment through job creation results in economic dependence and the exploitation of the citizenry. These types of agreements set the stage for a colonial relationship between China and the African nations.
This isn't a liberal, conservative or American viewpoint, it is a historical viewpoint.
December 29, 2006 5:02 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 17:02
HLY, do you even know who William Gumede is? He's a prominent South African historian, author and political analyst and someone who probably has a much better understanding of colonization than you--maybe you should do your own research.
December 29, 2006 4:57 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 16:57
Steve Lindsey, I suggest you read up on some of the actual demands that are made of many countries that accept US aid. You might not be so quick to judge if you actually knew some of the specific policies.
December 29, 2006 4:49 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 16:49
USA envy has set in!! The USA is broke, Europe has a pension shortfall dynamite in her treasury; thus neither is interested in helping Africa. After destroying the infrastructure of Lebanon and Iraq, primarily with USA weaponry {both were friends in the past, "DEMOGRAPHIC LEBANON' and "IRAN FIGHTING HUSSAIN"}. It appears that the leadership of Africa prefers the company of China, a country which has not waged war all over the globe [as did the USA,in Chile, in Nicaragua,in Grenada, in Panama, in Somalia, etc] in the last 50 years. China also has money without "ONE-SIDED FREE TRADE" propaganda of the USA. Whereas China had experienced African Trade 400-600 years ago, without economic war, and Slave trade, without financial subjugations by proxies [IMF, World BAnk, USA mega-banks, USA Hedge Funds] is it suprising that as the USA Hegemony is collapsing that African leaders look towards the rising economic collossus, China, for their future?
The strategic interest of China [and Russia, and India - the new powers to be] is to apply the death by thousand cuts to the USA economic power. Tying up resources, especially those missing from the wealth of mainland USA, is but one aspect of this economic warfare. That China can afford to do this openly [without CIA, etc help] is due to the corrupt nature of the USA economy ruled by the philosophy of SPEND SPEND SPEND, and do it more as you go into debt, while China SAVES for a rainy day [or to ensure that it can get the material to keep its economy humming].
Crying about human rights and rule of law from the UK/USA side is somewhat facicious after IRAQ, prisoner rendering etc. Human rights issues have never entered the USA government/industry's interest except if there was money to be made from such interst. The deaths and population displacement in Iraq has nothing to compare to since the end of the Vietnam War, all courtesy of USA/Uk colonial desires. So why should Africa tie itself to such human rights abusers as UK/US.
when the above points are adressed in a rational manner, then perhaps there can be a discussion on Chin's place in Africa, from the USA point of view. Til then less noise the better .
December 29, 2006 4:48 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 16:48
Folks one used to be concerned by the Chicoms' rapid and remarkable competition with the U.S. in Africa until I read that Bush's Asst. Sec. for African Affairs opined that the "U.S. does not perceive any threat by China to U.S. interests in Africa." So there if another one of Bush's "experts" says not to worry then why worry say I.
If Chicom trade with Africa equals colonization what the heck should we call Chicom trade with and domination of markets in the United States? Try sheer national suicide or more Bush stupidity.
December 29, 2006 4:46 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 16:46
It is a shame to blame African leaders as corrupts. Most of them are honest leaders who cares about their population. Africans don't need help or grants but business opprtunities. The true fact is that the West has erected so many trade barriers and subsidies that Africans cannot sell their products.
China gives Africa business opportunities. That's what we want. Not Aid or whatever humiliating grants.....
December 29, 2006 4:43 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 16:43
Mandate of Heaven vs Manifest Destiny. Enter the Dragon, China wins in the art of fighting without fighting. The soul smiles. Thank you for Bruce and Brandon.
Maybe we can work together to reunite Korea?
December 29, 2006 4:40 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 16:40
"Of course" is the short answer.
There are all kinds of "answers" and "views."
There are a couple things people, anywhere they are on some kind of "ideological" specture, need to keep in mind is:
China has close to 1.5 billion people. The land has been in constant use --- very few fertile acres have been left in fallow for long --- for two continuous thousand years.
China's "approach" to business is different from European whites: the Chinese have this backward leaning stance on issues: they come in true peace! They do NOT want other people to abolish their indigenous butcher shops of the various kinds, because China does NOT want others to tell it how to upkeep its various butcher shops and dark dungeons for the "criminals" who challege the "correct leadersship".
Unfortunately, the Africans and many South Americans are positioning themselves to do "business," "strict business" with China where the argument is "both sides win". They will wake up in a generation or two that China has been EXTRACTING tons and tons of RAW and therefore precious resources from them,,,, just like the Europeans and their descendents elsewhere have done since the Roman's times........
December 29, 2006 4:34 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 16:34
The West's "investments" in Africa have "declined"? My God, we send (read: waste) billions on nitwittery such as AIDS relief every year, and many more times what any other nation send. The awkward truth here is that despots in Africa routinely use corruption to keep aid from doing a bit of good and getting to their people. Its sad, but that's the situation. Blaming the West for not caring is preposterous. Example: Bush DOUBLED aid to many Afican nations. Where does it end up - with the corrupt leaders.
December 29, 2006 4:23 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 16:23
Wow, aid money without any restrictions! It really is to good to be true! No more onerous Western demands such as "stop organizing death squads to kill thousands of innocent people in your country" or "pass and enforce worker safety laws for once" or my favorite "stop selling passports to non-citizens".
It's the dawn of a new era for Africa!
December 29, 2006 4:22 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 16:22
Good God, can someone send the author a remedial English book? I'm going to colonize his cerebrum if he doesn't learn to write a coherent sentence.
December 29, 2006 4:18 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 16:18
Colonization? A stupid methaphor. Its simply China doing business with Africa.
Africa was colonized by the West (whites) for centuries and used as puppets during the cold war. The African continent was abandoned by the West at the end of the cold war and it was getting poorer and poorer. China came in to do business, develop industries with a market ready to buy all raw material or semi finished products. We cannot blame china for buying raw material. The reason is that Africa does not have the industrial capacity to produce finished products. If the West cares about Africa, the Author must tell us why the continent remained poor for many centuries even with the continous presence of WHITES.
December 29, 2006 4:06 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 16:06
This is typical West's bias. In stead of blaming West for forgetting Africa, you are blaming China for remembering Africa. West's colonization was by force. China is just trading with Africa. When people trade with each other, they influence each other. Since the trade with China has Westernized China, Would you say West is colonizing China ? I don't think so. I don't think China is colonizing Africa either. The author's analysis is based on the combination of bias and jealousy. Just shows how dishonest the author is. Its a shame for America.
December 29, 2006 3:50 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 15:50
China has merely replaced the West using Economic Imperialism as a trade practice. In deed, the West has become the victim of China's Economic Imperialism. It is the age old story of developed nations, with high trade barriers, dumping their cheap goods on underdeveloped countries, without trade barriers. Because local industries can not compete, underdeveloped countries remain under the economic control of developed, protectionist nations.They all need trade barriers so there goods can compete with the low prices of Economic Imperialists countries. Trade Barriers equal development. Pure Alexander Hamilton in his Report on Manugfactures!
December 29, 2006 3:43 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 15:43
It may well be that the Chinese view Africa as their "cheap labor market" of the future?
As someone with ties to the international business sector, I am always wondering why there is so little visible American effort made to develop African sources of production?
December 29, 2006 3:11 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 15:11
Where were all these analysts when the West have for decades been raping Africa, including using World Bank, IMF and their proxies (African leaders) as vehicles for doing so. The IMF/World Bank pushed their weight around in the late 1980s (and still does), under prodding from the West, and forced Nigeria to devalue its currency and to open its borders to dumping from the West under the guise of trade liberalisation. The foregoing measures brutally decimated the country's manufacturing industrial base leading to millions of people being thrown out of work. Where were all these analysts? They are all envious now that another country is now exploiting the fertile ground for resource expropriation nurtured and sustained by the West in Africa. STOP PROVIDING SAFE HAVEN FOR MONEY STOLEN FROM AFRICA. A RECEIVER OF STOLEN GOODS IS A THIEF.
December 29, 2006 2:45 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 14:45
Take it from a chinese man -- Don't trust the chinese when doing business with them!
December 29, 2006 2:35 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 14:35
Gee, "HLY", wouldn't be Han, would you? Sorry, but your PRC is showing.
Please make whatever counterarguments you see fit, but "trivial yawning"? Not even close. I, for one, disagree with the author's latent Marxist analysis, but the overall point -- that China is staking out a position in the new Great Game, and the chessboards are Africa and South America -- is virtually undeniable.
Kudos to WaPo for giving voice to this issue.
December 29, 2006 2:32 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 14:32
The author obviously does have a very personal interpretation of the word "colonization" and a superficial understanding of the history and means of western colonization of Africa ! Nowadays, it seems that using meaningless and provocative vocabulary or catching phrases becomes a desperate and only way to attract visibility when one is short of substance. I suggest that the author does some homework of studying the history of western colonization of Africa before launching a trivial yawning of this nature. It is an insult to any history-educated people !
December 29, 2006 1:46 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 13:46
China worked effortlessly to water-down a United Nations resolution -- effortlessly?
your copy editor should smoke slightly less weed-- HOWEVER, glad to see this being written about. topic is important and analysis is solid
December 29, 2006 1:37 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 29, 2006 13:37