Why is China interested in strengthening ties with Africa? According to some, it isn't altruism:"Both sides vowed to deepen the political partnership and business cooperation for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes," said [Chinese President] Hu at a joint press conference on the sixth leg of an eight-nation tour of Africa."
China is keen to tap into Africa's abundant natural resources to feed its economic growth but it has faced accusations of being too willing to turn a blind eye to the excesses of regimes, such as Sudan, as well as using Africa as a dumping ground for cheap goods, particularly textiles.
And, as pointed out in an October 2006 article in the Economist, trade with China only benefits Africa's elite, who are the ones who have control over minerals and petroleum.
Is it possible that the Chinese are sincere in their interest in Africa?
[South African President] Mbeki has previously stated that China will not "replicate the historic colonial economic relationship in terms of which Africa served as a source of raw materials and a market for goods manufactured in the countries of the colonisers."
However, that's what appears to have happened. China exports far more to Africa than it imports. On the other hand, China has forgiven debt and spent money on building roads and other infrastructure in several (oil -producing) Afriacan countries.
One throwaway comment in another Economist article caught my attention, though. China is beginning to import cotton from Africa. The only reason the US trade deficit with China isn't larger than it is -- US exports of cotton to China.
Your thoughts?
China's Hu promises win-win partnership in South Africa - Yahoo! News
No comments:
Post a Comment