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AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, that was constructed by the Chinese government as a donation to African countries.
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In the past 10 years, Chinese government
has expanded and strengthen its relationship with African countries in several
ways. The sign of the strengthened cooperation between China and Africa can be the
beautiful construction of blocks; let say the headquarters of the African Unionin Addis Ababa Ethiopia,
fancy roads and bridges in some African countries (at least the ones I have
casted my eyes) including Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, and many
other.
Last year, China offered US $ 20 billion in
terms of loan, for development projects in Africa for the time of three years. Accordingly,
this amount has doubled compared to the amount provided in 2009.
Why would the African countries be the main
focus for the Chinese government to bring loan with simple terms, especially now?
There is a lot to ask about whether this cooperation is true of false, will the
cooperation last long? Are there any long term consequences because of this
cooperation?
Still there is a commonality between China
and most African country as what the director of African Studies Program at theJohns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C., Dr Peter Lewis explains that, “China, after all, was not long ago a poor, agrarian country,
broadly similar to some of the development challenges facing sub-Saharan
Africa. And as a poor, agrarian country that has become rich in a rather
breathtaking climb to greater prosperity, many analysts have said that this
presents possibilities for Africa – an alternative development model,” This may
be a motive to upgrade African countries from the state they are.
The Benefits:
One of the main benefits that African countries
are receiving from the cooperation with China is the fact that there are a lot
of development projects that are carried out smoothly because of the provided
loans and grants. The construction of roads has facilitated easy transportation
infrastructures in different places, let say from urban to rural areas.
Also there are several signed projects on
the side of health. In Tanzania there are some hospitals that have been
constructed by the Chinese government. This is a good thing as it helps to
facilitate the provision of health services to people in a modern way-modern
building, comfortable one and modern medical equipment. In the Democratic
Republic of Congo, Chinese government has managed to construct several
hospitals and health centers too.
The construction of building has also added
to not only provision of offices but also decorating different cities and towns
because of the styles that buildings are constructed from. It is easier to
identify any constructed building by the Chinese construction company.
Yet there are several water well projects
that are sponsored by the Chinese government in different places of Africa. At the
end of the day, the constructions of wells help local people to access water
service.
Chinese government is engaging in almost
all spheres of life by investing in different areas such as sports and
entertainment, mining sector, business and economy, health sector, education,
water supply and constructions.
The provision of loans has made Zimbabwe to
defuse its financial crisis after expelling all foreign investors in the
country. China has partnered with Zimbabwe and help to sort some economic cases in
the country.
Challenges:
This cooperation has both positive and
negative impact, probably more negative to African countries.Despite providing loan to the African countries,
yet the Chinese government is insisting on providing their own constructors to construct
roads and building. This hinders local construction companies not to be able to
win such tenders and ending up backward.
Also, it is claimed that the China
engagement to Africa is one way of finding resources for their growing
industries. Resources such as metals, ores, oil and scraps are some of the most
imports to China. The need of resources is because of china production of
different materials such as electronics and construction resources.
Yet the population increase in China is
another thing that is bringing about challenge to the Chinese government to
find a place of reducing their population through this partnership. The assertion
is that, the Chinese constructors are brought to Africa purposely to reduce
population in their country.
The market place is another thing to
explore as the china produced products are flooding in African markets. This situation
is bringing about a stiff competition between local producers and the Chinese
goods; which temp consumers to set their preference over Chinese goods because
of the market price. Today, to purchase consumer goods such as clothes, shoes,
home utensils and house decorations is very cheap if a consumer choose to
purchase a product from China.
On the other hand, the products from the
local industries are sold in expensive cost to the extent that the local
consumers can not afford. But why this? Probably the reason behind is, the low
cost goods are produces using the low cost resources such as raw goods, man
power, shipping expenses and even payment of tax to the respective country.
People's Reaction
Therefore, ordinary people have different
reactions over the Chinese business in Africa. Some groups are impressed with
this intervention that is caused by presence of China in different areas, while
some are not.
From my point of view, maybe this is the
new colonialism that after the Western countries colonizing Africa, now it is
the time of the Eastern block –specifically China! Maybe this is the Dead Aid as what Dambisa
Moyo has discussed in her book,trying to leave African countries bankrupt and China dependent forever! What is
the hidden motive behind?
