Message from aschleicher

[Anonymous]

The videos portrayed Chinese migration as an eventual problem that causes conflict with local populations. Even the title were concerning: "Colony," "Empire," and the others which posed questions as to whether Africa could feed China, but not the other way around. During the interviews with local residents, their main concern was that Chinese families come to the country, and then Chinese-owned business set up shop and begin offering cheap goods to the local population. The videos showed how the movement of people across borders can lead to immigration conflict in all nations, not just in Europe or the U.S.

The NHK video on Japanese investment in Africa, especially the Mozambique area and the export of soybeans to Japan. The Japanese government is financing the building of a port for shipping trade. There is some competition with China, and the interview stated Japanese government should "maximize national interests." There was also a video on the specific trade and investment between Japan and Rwanda, which offered examples as to what companies are developing in the African region.

Overall, I thought that the videos painted an uncomfortable portrait of assistance to Africa as a money-making venture in which some local citizens felt that there was a new colonization.