Business Ethics: The China-Africa relationship

Thèmes abordés

Business ethics

Résumé du document

On the one hand, Africa, the second most populous continent in the world with an estimated population of 945 million inhabitants in an area of 30 million km², a continent rich in natural resources (diamonds, gold, etc ) and natural resources (oil, coal, natural gas) but eternally the ugly duckling. A continent which would be headed by Machiavellian, murderous and corrupt elites. A continent whose people would be too poor and not educated enough to take their destiny into their own hands. Such a social scenario makes the continent dependent on direct lending by major international powers. On the other hand, China, the most populous country in the world (about 1.3 million) on an area of 9 million km ² is being projected as the new international predator, a China that seeks between communism and the chances and constraints of a world without liberal borders.

Today more than ever, the encounter between these two giants have captured the attention of the entire globe. Why so much concern?
Recent years have witnessed China's resurgence on the international scene, especially in Africa, hitherto the private reserve of Europeans and, to a less extent, the Americans. A cause for concern for some, opportunity for others, the reality of Chinese presence in Africa must be measured in its entirety.
Clearly, to what extent does the issue of ethics come into play with the Chinese presence in Africa?

What are the ethical challenges that China and Africa must overcome? What is the international perspective on the question of the relationship between China and Africa? First, we will look at the facts that bring China to Africa. Then we will describe the moral challenge posed by Chinese activity in Africa followed by the involvement of China in the continent. Finally, we will conclude with my personal views on the current and future situation.

Extraits

[...] Ivory from the elephants, dorsal tail of sharks - Critics from the international community: the international community can make an important pressure in order to influence the non- governmental organizations. As they are organizations that use to give funds to help African countries, they can limit this help or stop it because it is used by certain local people to be wealth. And moreover, the IC can encourage the population to fight against this dictatorial power. This is why the liberty of expression and the access to the information is still controlled in Africa. b. [...]

[...] The spokesman made this statement in particular in response to reports that the leader of the main opposition party in Zambia, Michael Sata, had argued that the firms from China and other Asian countries and neglected the safety culture of Zambia's largest copper producer in Africa. "The Chinese government has always asked its enterprises to observe local laws and regulations, respect the customs and habits, to live on good terms with nationals to fulfill their social responsibilities and ensure the legitimate rights of local employees" , he particularly stressed. c. Actions Chinese companies employ the local workforce, including all activities in contact with the population. All businesses have relationship with managers, customers or local vendors. [...]

[...] The majorities of the businesses in Africa are little and are practiced in bad conditions. So the implantation of new businesses conducts the African companies to bankruptcy. But sometimes, china is a help for African that order inventories from China thanks to a local contact. So the role of African companies is to fight against the cot-fair competition of the Chinese. d. The international community The international community is the eye which looks at Africa from the outside; and it is represented by the Medias, the non-governmental organizations, the government of the world, the international population The IC criticizes the different actions of China, and other countries, in order to fight against injustice and non respect of the human rights and environment. [...]

[...] The Chinese companies are different and their presence in African countries conducts in most part of time to bad consequences. In fact, they often use practices that are not respectful of the human rights and some activities are the same that African's so it creates conflict competition. But they have also companies that help the local economy by hiring local workers. These kinds of enterprise are often companies that have a long-term vision on the country. c. Africa: governments and companies The African governments are the ones who authorize and enjoy the entering of China in their country. [...]

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