The China Card

There is tendency in the 'West', one that it not difficult to pursue in light of its dismal human rights record, to accuse China of crassly exploiting Africa. A typical piece reads like this 2007 Ope-Ed in the NYTimes:

"The World Bank --- proposed a project based on the commonsense observation that there was no point in lending the Nigerians money without also tackling the corruption that had crippled the railways. After months of negotiation, the bank and Nigeria’s government agreed on a $5 million project that would allow private companies to come in and help clean up the railways.

But just as the deal was about to be signed, the Chinese government offered Nigeria $9 billion to rebuild the entire rail network — no bids, no conditions and no need to reform. That was when my friend (an aid-worker) packed his suitcase and went to the airport."

Ah yes, Western paternalism at its finest. Apparently Americans still believe Africans cannot count. And there the truth lies naked. Having learned from 100 years of colonial rule the fine distinction between imperialism and political corruption Africans have decided that an aspiring capitalist always sells to the highest bidder.

Another pet argument is that Chinese projects in Africa largely ignore environmental consequences. No doubt that is true but talk about the pot calling out the kettle. Where in Africa has a Chinese company left behind this kind of devastation?

Nigerian Delta courtesy of Shell Oil

How many activists have they caused to be killed.

The truth is the West had its chance to befriend the African. But instead, it stole his resources then left him a continent riven by war, racism and under-development. China, on the other hand, has not sought any overt quid pro quo beyond a chance to do business.. Take for example their approach to tackling the problem of snail fever. "We will share with them our methods so they can design their solutions according to their own situation," said Zhou Xiaonong, director of China's National Institute of Parasitic Diseases in Shanghai.

The West response to the end of the Cold War was to give Africa the cold shoulder. China saw its chance and grabbed it:

"[the] Chinese advantage has been that many countries in Africa, including Angola, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Namibia and Sudan, feel a sense of obligation toward China after it helped them when they were confronted with the spectre of civil war following the demise of the Soviet Union.

After a surge of attention on the continent during the Cold War, the US and Russia lost interest in spending money in Africa, leaving instability—and space for China to step in. The gaps the two big powers left that China has sought to fill were big ones, with many African nations having depended heavily on their Cold War sponsors in the 1960s and 1970s for state-building assistance after securing independence from their colonial masters. Withdrawal pulled the rug from under any prospects for stability."

The truth is the Chinese in Africa are on the right side of history. It is a history most Africans will not soon forget.