[A-List] Sino-Africa Relations

[Henry C.K. Liu]

You need to have a better understanding of the causes and effects of the 
Sino-Soviet split. If I have time, I will try to post something on it, 
although I strongly suspect it would be a waste of time given your mindset.

Henry C.K. Liu

bar at idirect.com wrote:

>Henry,
>I don't know what you man by "soviet imperialism".  What examples of that
>are there? That China supported Savimbi was a violation of their
>"principles" as that support was a disaster for the people of Africa. How
>can their former policy of opposing their fellow comrades in the USSR be
>consistent with their 5  and 8 principles? The same with the African
>people of Haiti which we discussed before. Having said that, in the
>countries like Tanzania where they supported socialism their presence was
>positive and still remembered with affection. And their presence here in
>Tanzania is increasing rapidly. There are many Chinese engineers and
>construction workers here on projects and unlike most outsiders like the
>Brtis and Americans they come already trained to speak Swahili and with a
>sincere attitude towards Africans. Whereas the Brits and Americans are
>their usual arrogant selves and refise to learn the language and expect
>everyone to speak English.
>
>Tanzania was a British colony yet they did nothing here. It was the
>Chinese that built the railways, the roads, the power stations. However, I
>am told that in part payment they took out a lot of ivory and killed a lot
>of elephants. But then so did everyone else.
>
>Chris
>
>  
>
>>Still, China did not set up any puppet regime in Africa. Yes, China even
>>played up to the US against Soviet imperialism during the 1970s.  There
>>is a line separating  geoploitical balance of power games nations play
>>and ideological commitment. Cuba's Castro was at one point very critical
>>of China in Africa but mostly before of its dependence on Soviet
>>support.  China did not hold any grudge against Castro. There was not a
>>single one sided sentence in my post below.
>>
>>Henry C.K. Liu
>>
>>Macdonald Stainsby wrote:
>>
>>    
>>
>>>Henry, don't be too one sided here. You know as well as I the history
>>>of the support for movements such as Savimbi's Unita and others during
>>>the CPC's attempts to undermine Soviet influence. Certainly China's
>>>role has been small in Africa, but not always a good one either.
>>>
>>>
>>>Henry C.K. Liu wrote:
>>>
>>>      
>>>
>>>>"the rise of Chinese fascist-capitalism" ?
>>>>
>>>>Well, China cannot be blamed for the dismal political landscape left
>>>>in Africa by Western imperialism. China did not put in place any
>>>>"venal regimes" in Africa, or anywhere else on earth. Africa is one
>>>>region that China voluntarily and consitently incur trade deficits by
>>>>policy. This type of Western liberal China bashing has also infected
>>>>the African liberal left. There seems to be a lot of Western funded
>>>>literature to warn Africans about the danger of Chinese friendship to
>>>>the people of Africa. I experienced this type of fifth columnist
>>>>sniping from several "leftist" lists and I hope the A-list will not
>>>>be infested by the same destructive virus.
>>>>
>>>>Henry C.K. Liu
>>>>
>>>>Chinese Leaders on Sino-African Relations
>>>>
>>>>Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Chinese
>>>>leaders have attached high importance to developing relations with
>>>>African countries. They have held many expositions on consolidating
>>>>Sino-African traditional friendship and promoting friendly
>>>>cooperation. These have been followed as the guiding principle for
>>>>China's foreign diplomacy toward Africa throughout various historic
>>>>periods.
>>>>
>>>>Zhou Enlai
>>>>
>>>>        
>>>>
>>>>>From December 1963 to January 1964, on his tour of ten African
>>>>>          
>>>>>
>>>>countries, Premier Zhou Enlai put forward the five principles guiding
>>>>China's relations with the African and Arab countries, and the eight
>>>>principles underlying China's economic and technological aid to
>>>>foreign countries.
>>>>
>>>>The Five Principles:
>>>>
>>>>1. China supports the African and Arab peoples in their struggle to
>>>>oppose imperialism and old and new colonialism and to win and
>>>>safeguard national independence.
>>>>
>>>>2. It supports the pursuance of a policy of peace, neutrality and
>>>>non-alignment by the Governments of the African and Arab countries.
>>>>
>>>>3. It supports the desire of the African and Arab peoples to achieve
>>>>unity and solidarity in the manner of their own choice.
>>>>
>>>>4. It supports the African and Arab countries in their efforts to
>>>>settle their disputes through peaceful consultations.
>>>>
>>>>5. It holds that the sovereignty of the African and Arab countries
>>>>should be respected by all other countries and that encroachment and
>>>>interference from any quarter should be opposed.
>>>>
>>>>The Eight Principles:
>>>>
>>>>1. The Chinese Government always bases itself on the principle of
>>>>equality and mutual benefit in providing aid to other countries. It
>>>>never regards such aid as a kind of unilateral alms but as something
>>>>mutual.
>>>>
>>>>2. In providing aid to other countries, the Chinese Government
>>>>strictly respects the sovereignty of the recipient countries, and
>>>>never attaches any conditions or asks for any privileges.
>>>>
>>>>3. China provides economic aid in the form of interest-free or
>>>>low-interest loans and extends the time limit for the repayment when
>>>>necessary so as to lighten the burden of the recipient countries as
>>>>far as possible.
>>>>
>>>>4. In providing aid to other countries, the purpose of the Chinese
>>>>Government is not to make the recipient countries dependent on China
>>>>but to help them embark step by step on the road of self-reliance and
>>>>independent economic development.
>>>>
>>>>5. The Chinese Government tries its best to help the recipient
>>>>countries build projects which require less investment while yielding
>>>>quicker results, so that the recipient governments may increase their
>>>>income and accumulate capital.
>>>>
>>>>6. The Chinese Government provides the best-quality equipment and
>>>>material of its own manufacture at international market prices. If
>>>>the equipment and material provided by the Chinese Government are not
>>>>up to the agreed specifications and quality, the Chinese Government
>>>>undertakes to replace them.
>>>>
>>>>7. In giving any particular technical assistance, the Chinese
>>>>Government will see to it that the personnel of the recipient country
>>>>fully master such technique.
>>>>
>>>>8. The experts dispatched by China to help in construction in the
>>>>recipient countries will have the same standard of living as the
>>>>experts of the recipient country. The Chinese experts are not allowed
>>>>to make any special demands or enjoy any special amenities.
>>>>
>>>>Mao Zedong
>>>>
>>>>Chairman Mao Zedong put forward his view on differentiating the
>>>>"three worlds" in a talk with President Kenneth David Kaunda of
>>>>Zambia in February 1974. He said, "I hope the Third World unites. In
>>>>Asia, all countries except for Japan belong to the Third World. The
>>>>whole of Africa belongs to the Third World, and Latin America also
>>>>belongs to the Third World."
>>>>
>>>>Deng Xiaoping
>>>>
>>>>On meeting with visiting Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Deng
>>>>Xiaoping, chief architect of China's reform program, said, "We are
>>>>closely following Africa's development and progress towards
>>>>prosperity. We are pleased to see that many African countries have
>>>>become independent since the Second World War, creating the best
>>>>conditions for development. After years of struggle, the
>>>>international situation is becoming more relaxed, and a world war can
>>>>be avoided. The African countries should take advantage of this
>>>>favorable peaceful environment to develop. They should work out
>>>>strategies and policies for development in accordance with actual
>>>>conditions in each country, and they should unite so that all their
>>>>people can work together to promote economic development."
>>>>
>>>>Jiang Zemin
>>>>
>>>>In May 1996, President Jiang Zemin paid a visit to six African
>>>>countries. He proposed five principles concerning the development of
>>>>a long-term, stable, and all-round cooperative relationship between
>>>>China and the African countries oriented toward the 21st century:
>>>>
>>>>1. Being sincere, friendly, and mutually reliable and becoming
>>>>all-weather friends.
>>>>
>>>>2. Equality, mutual respect for each other's sovereignty, and
>>>>non-interference in each other's internal affairs.
>>>>
>>>>3. Seeking common development and mutual benefits.
>>>>
>>>>4. Strengthening consultations and forming close cooperation in
>>>>international affairs.
>>>>
>>>>5. Looking toward the future and creating a more beautiful world.
>>>>
>>>>In October 2000, President Jiang Zemin spoke at the opening ceremony
>>>>of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum -- Ministerial Conference
>>>>Beijing 2000. He said that China and Africa should make concerted
>>>>efforts to establish a new international political and economic order.
>>>>
>>>>1. To strengthen solidarity and actively promote South-South
>>>>cooperation.
>>>>
>>>>2. To enhance dialogue and improve North-South relations.
>>>>
>>>>3. To take part in international affairs on the basis of equality and
>>>>in an enterprising spirit.
>>>>
>>>>4. To look forward into the future and establish a new long-term
>>>>stable partnership of equality and mutual benefit.
>>>>
>>>>Hu Jintao
>>>>
>>>>In January 1999, Hu Jintao, then vice-president of China, said while
>>>>visiting Africa, "China will, as always, adhere to th
>>>>        
>>>>
>>e Five
>>    
>>
>>>>Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, respecting independent choices of
>>>>political system and development road by African nations according to
>>>>their realities; supporting the just struggle of African nations to
>>>>safeguard national independence, sovereignty and territorial
>>>>integrity; supporting these nations' efforts to maintain domestic
>>>>stability and unity, invigorate national economy and promote social
>>>>progress. In international affairs, China will actively support
>>>>African nations' participation in international affairs, strengthen
>>>>bilateral consultations and cooperation, and make concerted efforts
>>>>to safeguard the just rights of the developing nations, trying to
>>>>help establish a fair and reasonable international political and
>>>>economic order at an early date. China also urges the international
>>>>community, especially the developed countries, to respect and show
>>>>concern for Africa, pay attention to Africa's peace and development,
>>>>and adopt effective measures to promote stability in Africa, help
>>>>Africa develop its economy, get rid of poverty at an early date, and
>>>>narrow the gap in development between Africa and the rest of the
>>>>world."
>>>>
>>>>In June 2003, during talks with the visiting President Azali
>>>>Assoumani of the Comoro Union, President Hu Jintao pointed out that
>>>>consolidating and strengthening unity and cooperation with all
>>>>African countries, including the Comoro Union, is a vital part of
>>>>China's independent foreign policy of peace. He said that China would
>>>>abide by the basic principles of "sincere friendship, equal
>>>>treatment, unity and cooperation, common progress and looking forward
>>>>into the future" in dealing with Africa and be dedicated to the
>>>>long-term stable new partnership based on equality and mutual benefit.
>>>>
>>>>(China.org.cn December 10, 2003)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Beijing Declaration of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation
>>>>
>>>>2004-08-16
>>>>
>>>>We, the ministers in charge of foreign affairs, foreign trade and
>>>>international co-operation, economic or social affairs from China and
>>>>African countries, met in Beijing from 10 to 12 October 2000 for the
>>>>Forum on China-Africa Co-operation—Ministerial Conference 2000, the
>>>>first gathering of its kind in the history of China-Africa relations.
>>>>
>>>>We had an extensive exchange of views on international affairs and
>>>>the state of relations between China and African countries. We agree
>>>>that the China-Africa Cooperation Forum is a framework for collective
>>>>dialogue between China and African countries on the basis of equality
>>>>and mutual benefit and that to seek peace and development is our
>>>>common objective.
>>>>
>>>>We realise that at the dawn of a new century, there still exist
>>>>serious destabilising factors in the world and a huge gap between the
>>>>rich North and the poor South and that peace and development are far
>>>>from being fully realised.
>>>>
>>>>We reaffirm that the injustice and inequality in the current
>>>>international system are incompatible with the trend of the times
>>>>towards world peace and development, hinder the development of the
>>>>countries of the South and pose threats to international peace and
>>>>security. We stress that the establishment of a just and equitable
>>>>new international political and economic order is indispensable for
>>>>the democratisation of international relations and for the effective
>>>>participation of developing countries in the international process of
>>>>decision-making.
>>>>
>>>>We believe that it is of vital importance to world peace and security
>>>>to carry out general and complete disarmament and prohibition of all
>>>>weapons of mass destruction.
>>>>
>>>>We note that globalisation makes all economies more inter-dependent,
>>>>but it benefits developed countries more while putting most
>>>>developing countries, especially small and vulnerable economies and
>>>>the least developed countries in Africa, at a disadvantage and
>>>>subjecting their economic security or even state sovereignty to
>>>>severe challenges.
>>>>
>>>>We recall the courageous struggle waged by African countries and
>>>>people for independence and their commendable post-independence
>>>>efforts for the growth of their national economy and note that
>>>>African countries and the African continent as a whole are still
>>>>faced with many difficulties and challenges in their process of
>>>>development.
>>>>
>>>>We note, with grave concern, that efforts over the years have failed
>>>>to bring about political, economic and social stability in some
>>>>African countries and stress that economic and social factors are at
>>>>the root of political instability, social tensions and frequent
>>>>conflicts in Africa. Moreover, the scourge of HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB
>>>>and other communicable diseases is taking a heavy toll on the human
>>>>and economic resources of African countries, and the aggravated
>>>>poverty is seriously hindering the development of Africa.
>>>>
>>>>We stress that the heavy debt burden has impeded the development
>>>>efforts of African countries and impoverished their economies. We
>>>>believe that the international community has the responsibility and
>>>>obligation to help solve the African debt problem.
>>>>
>>>>We are highly appreciative of the stable development of Sino-African
>>>>relations over the past decades; have full confidence in the future
>>>>co-operation; and agree that there exists a solid foundation for
>>>>friendly relations and co-operation between China and Africa, given
>>>>their time-honoured traditional friendship. We also emphasise that
>>>>both China and African countries are developing countries with common
>>>>fundamental interests and believe that close consultation between the
>>>>two sides on international affairs is of great importance to
>>>>consolidating solidarity among developing countries and facilitating
>>>>the establishment of a new international order.
>>>>
>>>>We review the development of co-operation between China and African
>>>>countries in the economic, trade and other area, and realise that
>>>>there are considerable potentials for such co-operation. We believe
>>>>that this co-operation is part of South-South co-operation and that
>>>>to strengthen this co-operation serves their immediate and long-term
>>>>interests of both China and African countries.
>>>>
>>>>We hereby solemnly declare that:
>>>>
>>>>1.The purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the Charter of
>>>>the Organisation of African Unity(OAU), the Five Principles of
>>>>Peaceful Coexistence and other universally recognised principles
>>>>governing relations among states must be respected. All countries
>>>>should have the right to participate in international affairs, on an
>>>>equal footing. No country or group of countries, has the right to
>>>>impose its will on others, to interfere, under whatever pretext, in
>>>>other countries’ internal affairs, or to impose unilateral coercive
>>>>economic measures on others. The North and the South should
>>>>strengthen their dialogue and co-operation on the basis of equality.
>>>>
>>>>2.The principle of peaceful settlement of international disputes must
>>>>be adhered to. Disputes between states should be resolved through
>>>>negotiation, consultation or other peaceful means, rather than
>>>>through force, or threat of force, including nuclear threat. All the
>>>>nuclear-weapon-states must undertake not to be the first to use
>>>>nuclear weapons and not to use or threaten to use, nuclear weapons
>>>>against non-nuclear states or regions. All the parties concerned
>>>>should strive to advance the process of disarmament and nuclear
>>>>non-proliferation, with a view to realising the ultimate goal of
>>>>complete prohibition and thorough destruction of unclear weapons and
>>>>other weapons of mass destruction, so as to ensure security to all
>>>>countries. We support efforts to create new nuclear-weapon-free
>>>>zones, freely subscribed to by the countries concerned. The two sides
>>>>are ready to enhance their co-operation in stopping the illicit
>>>>proliferation, circulation and trafficking of small arms and light
>>>>weapons.
>>>>
>>>>3. The primary role of the UN Security Council in safeguarding world
>>>>peace and security should be respected and enhanced and vigorous
>>>>efforts should be made to push forward the reform of the United
>>>>Nations and international financial institutions. The developing
>>>>countries should be more adequately represented in the UN Security
>>>>Council and international economic and financial institutions so as
>>>>to fully reflect the democratic principle governing international
>>>>relations. In this respect, we call for the recognition of the
>>>>legitimate place due to Africa in the Security Council and the
>>>>organisations and specialised agencies of the United Nations system.
>>>>
>>>>4.The universality of human rights and fundamental freedoms should be
>>>>respected and the diversity of the world and the principle of seeking
>>>>common ground while reserving differences must be upheld and carried
>>>>forward. Each country has the right to choose, in its course of
>>>>development, its own social system, development model and way of life
>>>>in light of its national conditions. Countries, that vary from one
>>>>another in social system, stages of development, historical and
>>>>cultural background and values, have the right to choose their own
>>>>approaches and models in promoting and protecting human rights in
>>>>their own countries. Moreover, the politicisation of human rights and
>>>>the imposition of human rights conditionalities on economic
>>>>assistance should be vigorously opposed to as they constitute a
>>>>violation of human rights.
>>>>
>>>>5. The principle of conducting mutually beneficial co-operation and
>>>>seeking common development should be advocated. Developed countries
>>>>have the responsibility and obligation to provide financial,
>>>>technological and other assistance to developing countries, African
>>>>countries in particular. They should work out feasible development
>>>>programs for and co-operate with them on the basis of equality and
>>>>mutual benefit with a view to achieving common development for both
>>>>the North and the South. The developing countries, on their part,
>>>>should unite and co-ordinate with each other more closely, maximising
>>>>advantages while minimising disadvantages and adversities, as well as
>>>>tackle together challenges brought about by globalisation.
>>>>
>>>>6. We welcome efforts made by the African continent to enhance
>>>>sub-regional co-operation and further consolidate African unity by
>>>>establishing the African Union. We urge the international community
>>>>and international organisations to support the measures adopted by
>>>>African countries for this purpose. All parties concerned should
>>>>commit themselves to solidarity, peace and development of Africa and
>>>>properly settle the conflicts. We appreciate the active role by OAU
>>>>and other relevant regional and sub-regional organisations in
>>>>resolving African conflicts. The international community, especially
>>>>the United Nations, should give special attention to the resolution
>>>>of conflicts in Africa. In this connection, it should adopt all
>>>>necessary measures, including formulating effective peacekeeping
>>>>programs and relief plans.
>>>>
>>>>7. We appreciate the efforts made by African countries and the
>>>>international community to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other
>>>>infectious/communicable diseases as well as the actions undertaken to
>>>>eradicate poverty. In this respect, we welcome the initiative to
>>>>establish a World Solidarity Fund and call for vigorous support by
>>>>appropriate institutions for the establishment of this Fund.
>>>>
>>>>We agree to work together to improve co-operation in the fight
>>>>against terrorism with a view to eliminating this phenomenon in all
>>>>its forms and manifestations.
>>>>
>>>>8. We welcome the laudable efforts made by certain middle income
>>>>countries and other bilateral initiatives by donors aimed at the
>>>>cancellation of African official debts. We appreciate the recent
>>>>enhancement of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative,
>>>>geared at relieving the debt burden and alleviating poverty,
>>>>particularly in Africa. We stress that the HIPC initiative is being
>>>>undertaken against the background of the decline in ODA to historical
>>>>levels and that the rescheduling of Africa’s debt must not be
>>>>conducted with political strings attached or at the expense of
>>>>official development assistance. We strongly appeal to the relevant
>>>>international financial institutions and creditor developed countries
>>>>to adopt more concrete measures aimed at debt relief and reduction
>>>>for the least developed and middle income African countries. We
>>>>welcome concrete measures and contribution to be made in this regard
>>>>by China, a developing country itself.
>>>>
>>>>9. We are determined to further consolidate and expand China-Africa
>>>>co-operation at all levels and in all fields and to establish within
>>>>the framework of South-South co-operation a new-type long-term and
>>>>stable partnership based on equality and mutual benefit. We will
>>>>deepen dialogue, broaden consensus, continue to harmonise our
>>>>positions on international affairs and enhance mutual support so as
>>>>to uphold the legitimate rights and interests of China and African
>>>>countries and to expand and deepen this new-type partnership between
>>>>China and African countries.
>>>>
>>>>10. We decide to vigorously promote further China-Africa co-operation
>>>>in the economic, trade, financial, agricultural, medical care and
>>>>public health, scientific and technological, cultural, educational,
>>>>human resources development, transportation, environmental, tourism
>>>>and other areas on the basis of the principles enshrined in this
>>>>declaration and the Program for China-Africa Co-operation in economic
>>>>and social Development adopted at the Forum so as to promote the
>>>>common development of China and Africa.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>See aslo:
>>>>http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/China-Africa/81874.htm
>>>>
>>>> From the web site of the Chinese Embassy to Zimbabwe:
>>>>
>>>>Sino-African Relations
>>>>
>>>>2004-08-16
>>>>
>>>>Sino-African Relations, a model of friendly cooperative relations
>>>>between developing countries, have undergone the test of
>>>>international vicissitudes over a long period of time and have been
>>>>consolidated and strengthened in the new situation.
>>>>
>>>>China and African countries enjoy close political relations and
>>>>frequent high level exchanges. Chinese leaders, including Jiang
>>>>Zemin, Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, Li Ruihuan, and Hu Jintao have made trips
>>>>to African countries in recent years. Since 1997, nearly 30 heads of
>>>>state or heads of government from African countries have visited
>>>>China. Both sides reached broad consensus on developing comprehensive
>>>>cooperative Sino-African relations of long-term stability oriented
>>>>towards the 21st century. There are also extensive exchanges between
>>>>Chinese and African parliaments and parties. Both sides strengthen
>>>>consultation, support each other in international affairs, especially
>>>>on a series of major issues such as human rights, safeguard the
>>>>legitimate rights of developing countries and make efforts to promote
>>>>the establishment of a new just and rational international political
>>>>and economic order. African countries support China's great course of
>>>>unification. Most African countries firmly adhere to the One China
>>>>Policy. In order to strengthen consultation and cooperation, the
>>>>Chinese Foreign Ministry has established consultation mechanisms at
>>>>the ministerial level with Foreign Ministries from over a dozen
>>>>African countries. The China-Africa Cooperation Forum--Beijing 2000
>>>>ministerial meeting held in October this year is the first collective
>>>>dialogue between China and African countries, and will lay the
>>>>foundation for the development of Sino-African relations in the new
>>>>century.
>>>>
>>>>China has provided great amount of unselfish aide to African
>>>>countries since their independence to help them develop national
>>>>economy and promote social development, which yielded good results
>>>>and won appraise of African countries and people. In recent years,
>>>>Sino-African exchanges and cooperation in economy and trade continue
>>>>to develop in an in-depth manner. The Chinese government actively
>>>>explores new ways, new channels and new areas in Sino-African
>>>>economic and trade cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual
>>>>benefit. While continuing to provide possible economic assistance
>>>>without any political conditions attached, China actively encourages
>>>>and supports the establishment of direct links between the Chinese
>>>>and African companies and enterprises in their cooperation of mutual
>>>>benefit, including joint venture cooperation on projects of Chinese
>>>>aide. In accordance with international practice, the Chinese
>>>>government sets up loans on favorable terms with government subsidy
>>>>to support extra-territory-processing trade to expand the economic
>>>>benefits of government assistance and enlarge the scale of bilateral
>>>>cooperation. This practice has achieved initial success. In 1999, the
>>>>total Sino-African trade volume reached US$6.5billion. Sino-African
>>>>cooperation in many fields such as education, healthcare, and culture
>>>>has shown good momentum for development. Both sides strengthen
>>>>cooperation in human resources development. Besides the annual
>>>>scholarship for African countries on various subjects, the Chinese
>>>>government holds various forms of research and training courses to
>>>>help African countries train professional talents. The Sino-African
>>>>economic management research courses, the Senior African Diplomats
>>>>Group and the African middle-aged and young diplomats training course
>>>>have been run for 5 times each. The Chinese doctors and teachers are
>>>>broadly welcomed by African countries and peoples.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Patrick Bond wrote:
>>>>
>>>>        
>>>>
>>>>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Henry C.K. Liu"
>>>>><hliu at mindspring.com>
>>>>>
>>>>>          
>>>>>
>>>>>>Chinese, African cultural exchanges fruitful
>>>>>>Cultural exchanges between China and African countries have made a
>>>>>>great breakthrough in recent years and promoted the mutual
>>>>>>understanding between the two peoples.
>>>>>>            
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>That would be great, if true, and it's sorely needed. The mutual
>>>>>understanding between Chinese and African workers is lamentable.
>>>>>Yellow peril is raging across the countries I know best in Southern
>>>>>Africa, and even at the Southern African Social Forum in Harare last
>>>>>October, the largest applause in the opening ceremony went to
>>>>>xenophobes who insisted that "Fong Kong" products should be
>>>>>boycotted. South African workers are desperately trying to get
>>>>>relief but their corporatist leadership has decided to ask for
>>>>>Social Clauses from the WTO and bilateral deals between Pretoria and
>>>>>Beijing, instead of the hard work of allying with the Chinese
>>>>>working class.
>>>>>
>>>>>On the other hand, there's a material reality to this awful new
>>>>>psychology, which reflects the rise of Chinese fascist-capitalism,
>>>>>in league with the most venal African regimes, in Sudan, Angola,
>>>>>Zimbabwe and the like. Here are excerpts from my forthcoming book
>>>>>(*Looting Africa*, Zed Books):
>>>>>
>>>>>From the early 2000s, China became a bigger factor, in the process
>>>>>attracting growing controversy over geopolitics (because from Sudan
>>>>>to Zimbabwe to Angola, Chinese loans and investments propped up
>>>>>corrupt regimes) and deindustrialization. Well grounded concerns
>>>>>over employment practices and product quality turned into xenophobia
>>>>>against Chinese merchants (leading to 'yellow peril' sloganeering
>>>>>from otherwise internationalist activists within the Southern
>>>>>African Social Forum in late 2005). The Chinese threat to African
>>>>>industry is profound, with Nigeria losing 350,000 jobs directly (and
>>>>>1.5 million indirectly) due to Chinese competition from 2000-05.
>>>>>Lesotho's garment industry collapsed when the Africa Growth and
>>>>>Opportunity Act benefits evaporated in 2005 once China joined the
>>>>>WTO.[1]
>>>>>[1]. Chiahemen, J. (2005), 'Africa fears "Tsunami" of Cheap Chinese
>>>>>Imports', Reuters, 18 December.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>The critique of foreign investors in Africa must now extend beyond
>>>>>the EU, US and Japan, to China. For example, the Chinese National
>>>>>Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and two other large Chinese oil firms
>>>>>are active in seventeen African countries. One is Sudan where $2
>>>>>billion of oil investments are underway notwithstanding the Darfur
>>>>>genocide, responsible already for of 5% of China's import
>>>>>requirements, along with Chinese-financed development of a homegrown
>>>>>Sudanese military capacity. (Arms sales to Robert Mugabe are also
>>>>>dubious.) As Ben Schiller reports,
>>>>>
>>>>>Concerns have been raised over the environmental impact of various
>>>>>Chinese-run mining operations in Africa, including copper mines in
>>>>>Zambia and Congo, and titanium sands projects in ecologically
>>>>>sensitive parts of Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar.
>>>>>Moreover, China is a major importer of illegal timber from forests
>>>>>in Indonesia, Cameroon, Congo, and Equatorial Guinea. Though
>>>>>accurate figures are hard to access, www.globaltimber.org.uk says
>>>>>that up to 50% of all timber imported to China in 2004 was illegal.
>>>>>Chinese businesses have also been implicated in ivory smuggling,
>>>>>notably in Sudan and Zimbabwe. According to Care for the Wild
>>>>>International, Chinese companies buy up to 75% of Sudan's ivory.
>>>>>In its rush to expand, development experts say China is
>>>>>reinvigorating an older, crude style of development, re-establishing
>>>>>an era of 'white elephants' and 'prestige projects' with little
>>>>>benefit to local people. In Ethiopia, the Chinese state-owned
>>>>>Jiangxi International built $4 million worth of new housing, after a
>>>>>flood left hundreds destitute. But instead of accommodating the
>>>>>homeless, the blocks ended up being used by military officials. A
>>>>>Jiangxi manager later told the Wall Street Journal: 'It was a
>>>>>political task for us and so long as Ethiopia officials are happy,
>>>>>our goal is fulfilled.'
>>>>>Another feature of Chinese investment overseas is the use of Chinese
>>>>>rather than local workers. Thousands of Chinese labourers and
>>>>>engineers have been imported to build Ethiopia's $300 million
>>>>>Takazee Dam. In Sudan, Chinese workers have constructed an oil
>>>>>pipeline; 74,000 Chinese remain in country, 10,000 employed by CNPC.
>>>>>Chinese workers are also being used in Namibia, Zimbabwe, and a host
>>>>>of other African states. [1]
>>>>>[1]. Schiller, B. (2005), 'The China Model of Development',
>>>>>http://www.opendemocracy.net/democracy-china/china_development_3136.jsp,
>>>>>20 December.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>          
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>        
>>>>
>>    
>>
>
>
>
>
>  
>