Living in this K College bubble, I knew close to nothing about China's interest and involvement in Africa. I found an article online, published by the Heritage Foundation that helped me get a feel for what exactly is happening across the world, and why the US is concerned.
In recent years, Beijing has identified the African continent as an area of significant economic and strategic interest. America and its allies and friends are finding that their vision of a prosperous Africa governed by democracies that respect human rights and the rule of law and that embrace free markets is being challenged by the escalating Chinese influence in Africa.
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) aids and abets oppressive and destitute African dictatorships by legitimizing their misguided policies and praising their development models as suited to individual national conditions. Beijing holds out China’s unique develop ment model—significant economic growth overseen by a disciplined, one-party totalitarian state with full authority, if not control, over all aspects of economic activity—as an example for others to emulate.
Economist magazine's webpage hosts an on-going debate about the China's involvement in Africa.
This house believes that China's growing involvement in Africa is to be welcomed.
The debate page also provides two opposing points of view on the argument. The comments are given by American Professors with close ties to Africa, biologically and professionally.
China feels it has great incentive to support Africa, politically and financially. But how much can and will the Chinese help African nations, and what are the economic implications of these interactions for the United States? This is exactly what the debate now is going on about.
Heritage.org goes concludes it's article stating:
U.S. national interests lie in effectively counter ing these developments in Africa by deftly encour aging democratic processes, economic freedom, and respect for human rights across the African continent.
China has succeeded in becoming a world power, despite its resistance to becoming a democratic nation. Yet, as self sufficient as China seems, even today the country faces challenges from advocates of free speech and human rights.
African nations have long been considered still part of the developing world, and have suffered from political and economic instability. Who is best suited to lend sincere and promising aid to African nations?
Whoever wrote that article at the Heritage Foundation had their rose tinted glasses on when it came to U.S. foreign relations to Africa. The U.S. has supported oppressive, corrupt, totalitarian African Governments, because their policies benefited us. In fact we have done this all over the world, we supported Osama Bin Laden, because he would fight the Russians. Though not an African example, I feel it applies well because it seems that the U.S.A. will now support anything that goes against China (the new U.S.S.R., in some people's view). I don't feel that we should automatically assume that China will impose Dictatorships, and that we would impose successful democracies.
ReplyDeleteE
I agree with the above statement and would like to add that maybe some African countries are involving themselves with the Chinese because of past relations with the U.S and Europe. China offers them a free slate, relationship wise, whereas with America and Europe there is plenty of baggage (namely the fact that they have been economically exploited by Europe and the U.S in the late 17th through early 20th century)
ReplyDeleteI believe that the only way to see that African interests come first is to aid those countries' development through multinational coalitions such as the U.N. The problem with the U.N. though is that it has no large capital for projects and it takes a long time to come to a consensus on any matter. Because the U.N. stalls on crucial matters African countries are left to deal with actual countries with their own national interests in the foreground. Foreign entrepreneurs may invest in Africa, but they need to be assured a profit for success and that takes away from the Africans. I think the best way for Africa to develop is to focus on supporting home-owned businesses. I remember reading a while back about a group of women in a sub-Saharan country who decided to stop buying imported peanut butter and began their own peanut butter company. Just as locally owned businesses help communities survive and stride in America, nationally owned businesses in Africa will also help protect the countries from the influence of foreign motives. The trick here is to find what niche markets are really needed in Africa and what could help them be more independent.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article, I couldn't help but wonder if colonialism is again raising its head? If China or the USA wants to help Africa economically, I hope it will be in the best interest of all Africans. I hope the USA and China are not trying to "help" Africa by further exploiting whatever little resources they have left to their advantage without actually help the continent as history shows us.
ReplyDeleteI am unable to say which of these countries have the interest of Africa and the African peoples at heart. It seems more like a power struggle between the USA and China. If China takes control of Africa and Africa becomes economically successfully, China has more power. If the same thing happens to the USA, the US becomes more powerful. I think its a matter of colonialism and the struggle for power. A
In my opnion, Mysha brings up an interesting argument. The article does bring both colonialism and power to the mind. If this simply is a “power struggle,” than the outcome should be quite close and of significant importance.
ReplyDelete"China feels it has great incentive to support Africa, politically and financially. But how much can and will the Chinese help African nations, and what are the economic implications of these interactions for the United States?”
In response to that, I’m not sure if we can trust anyone to not exploit Africa, for its resources. When any country has too much power, it is very easy to abuse it.
I agree with Hannah's comment that Africa should try to support locally owned businesses. Since a large percentage of their economy is fueled by foreign aid, it's more beneficial to the country in the long run to invest in local interests as well as foreign ones. While we can't depend on the U.S. or China to make economic decisions in the favor of Africans, we can hope that native entrepreneurs will do the best they can to benefit themselves and in turn the community. I'm not suggesting that we cut off aid that Africa is currently receiving, but that we use it to fund more initiatives so that Africa can become a truly independent nation both politically and economically.
ReplyDeleteA
I agree with Mysha in that China's main goal in Africa is to develop its resources. And I am also worried about the prospect of Chinese support for undemocratic and repressive African regimes. I'm particularly worried because across the world, we are seeing a halt in the spread of democracy and regression in places where democracy was starting to take root.
ReplyDeleteMysha, I was wondering the same exact thing. Is it that the U.S and China hope to rebuild Africa's growth or is it a power struggle to take rule over the African nation. Like others said the U.S has had a lot of bad relations with the Africa such as exploitation of human labor so I have no choice but to think that China will be a better resource for the nation.
ReplyDelete