China in Africa: Political or Economic Interest?

Résumé du document

China's growing involvement in Africa has been actively commented upon over the last few months. In 1996, President Jiang Zemin stated he wanted 'a new relationship' with Africa, based on five points: reliable friendship, sovereignty equality, non-intervention, mutual beneficial development and international cooperation. The year 2001 saw China's entry in the WTO and was marked by a significant growth in the Chinese economy (with an impressive double-digit figure) and the need to secure raw materials to support its tremendous growth has increased considerably ever since . It was decided that 2006 would be the year of Africa in China. At the beginning of the year, President Ju Jutao paid a visit to some African countries for a week. This was the second tour he took since the he had become the president three years ago. A Historic Summit was organized to furnish a new action plan for 2007-2008 by gathering 48 heads of states representing 41 countries in China who received an exceptional welcome.

Extraits

[...] Also, it has been commented on that China has been employing its own Chinese workers[23]. However, it is not by chance if investments in Africa use to be low, Chinese businesses are taking risks by setting up in Africa[24], as with political instability, the business climate is not great. One has also to analyse China's reaction to this accusation. As the Foreign Ministry declared 'China does not want to decide unilaterally in Africa'[25]. China is an economic giant but still a political dwarf. [...]

[...] By writing off Africa's debt, China has created itself a political stature up to the ones of the Western powers[35]. For some observers, China aims at redrawing the world's strategic map[36]. At the moment, the Chinese presence is quite positively seen. It is perceived as an opportunity to prevent the US hegemony. As Alpha Oumar Koraré, President of the African Union Commission reckons, China has put Africa back on the Agenda, which has revived the competition as far as aid and investments are concerned[37]. [...]

[...] As China has invested a lot in Sudanese oil, it would rather support the current government rather than take the risk to lose its investment. Since China is in the security council, there is no way to vote a resolution without its approval The same kind of analysis could be made about President Mugabe 'Look East Policy' China in Africa, Chris Alden, Survival vol 47 Automn 2005 p.15 Une puissance néocoloniale en Afrique in Courrier International n°831, 11/10/06 p.41 a country where poverty is still widespread, but where it has constantly went down from 1990 up to now Partenariat gagnant-gagnant? [...]

[...] China in Africa, an involvement that dates back to the Cold War China's interest in Africa is not new, however there has recently been an acceleration of the pace of its involvement. In the China was politically engaged[8] in Africa[9]. Its booming economy has been a new incentive to find other economic partners. China benefited from new international conditions[10] . Therefore Africa, the forgotten continent, was to be courted and China jumped on the occasion, especially because China and Africa have complementary interests. When China's economy meets African natural resources . China's economy is booming. [...]

[...] In the end, the will of China to build a 'strategic partnership' with Africa is a chance, no matter if this is a real win-win relationship[44]. It can be the source of growth and development; it only depends on how the money in each country is going to be managed. Is the culture of corruption going to be fought against and step by step, eradicated? African countries should also impose Chinese industries a certain threshold of transfer of technology and local employees hired within joint-ventures. [...]