♠ Posted by Emmanuel in
Africa,
China,
Development
at 5/17/2007 12:03:00 AM
Pardon me for being skeptical here, but just as China has in many ways replaced the US as Asia's
regional boss, China is also becoming Africa's sugar daddy as its hunger for resources leads it to where the resources are. Like Africa's previous Western overlords, China is (surprise!) promising African countries a mutually beneficial relationship. But, what will likely happen in the event of a global slowdown when China has less demand for Africa's plentiful natural resources? Until proven otherwise, I suspect that China is just another fairweather friend. China will not be able to singlehandedly lift the "resource curse" in which several resource-rich African countries haven't been able to progress. In a
realpolitik sense, I think China cares less than it says. Such is the cold, calculating way of geopolitics. Anyway, here is a
counterpoint from the
China Daily:
Premier Wen Jiabao defended China's expanding trade and investment in Africa to help countries to grow at the briskest pace in 30 years.
"We are truly sincere in helping Africa speed up economic and social development for the benefit of the African people and its nations," Wen told the opening session of the African Development Bank's annual meeting.
The two-day gathering, attended by finance ministers and central bank governors from more than 50 countries, is the bank's first meeting in Asia, and the second time outside Africa.
Wen recalled a pledge given by President Hu Jintao at a summit with African heads of state in Beijing in November to double aid by 2009 and to set up a US$5 billion development fund.
"We will fully deliver on our statement and we are working with African countries to implement these measures," Wen said.
