Message from cwatson

[Anonymous]

On Thursday, January 21, 2010, Deborah A. Brauxtigam,
Associate Professor in the School of International Service at the American University
in Washington DC, spoke about excerpts from her book entitled, "The Dragon's Gift:
China in Africa."

Although a lot of negative information is circulating
on the Internet and in newspaper articles regarding Africa and CHina's involvement in it,
few if any of these authors have conducted field research in Africa.

She debunked three myths regarding China's role in Africa:

Myth #1: China's involvement in Africa is new.

China has watched the mistakes of other countries who conducted business in Africa
and developed a new model. CHina based its business model for Africa
from its former aid from Japan.

Myth #2: China gave $44 billion to Africa since the 1950s and China granted
Latin America $100 billion.

In actuality, China's investment in Africa is $162 and $142 in Latin America.
China's Hu Jin Tau said that he wanted Chinese investment in Latin America
to reach $100 billion dollars.

Myth #3: 0% interest loans from China are political and
money has been given to every country in Africa except
Swaziland.

Nine billion dollars have been given to the Democratic Republic of Congo
and four and one-half billion dollars have been given to Angola in loans from CHina.

In addition, Mauritius will be able to repay China's concession loans.

China's economic cooperation with African countries has been profitable:
of the $142 billion dollars that have been invested via business agreements
with African countries has netted CHina a nice profit, while African companies
who participated in these agreements gained approximately $70 billion.

Although safety standards, labor conditions, and environmental issues continue to
be a problem for the Chinese government, Mozambique has decided to translate
its labor standards into CHinese. In turn, the CHinese honored these
practices and workers enjoy a better environment.
Thus, the language barrier can be overcome which may lead to cross cultural cooperation
which could eventually lead to improved work practices around Africa.

There were more points that were discussed:

China is not a colonial power in Africa, the local populartion
retains its cultural heritage.

China does not own most of the land in Africa, but it does own a 20% stake
in Standard Bank in South Africa.

The growing Chinese presence in Africa has caused some backlash
in places such as Mauritius. Mauritius' population was fearful that China
would take over its beaches.

Until people see the result of Cinese investments in African countries
there will be some xenophobic over reactions by the indigenous population.

The West, America, has told Africa what to do to grow their country.
Unfortunately, the West, particularly America, have constantly
changed their suggestions about Africa.
Consequently, the West has pulled many projects out of Africa, as have
European nations.

However, China's simplistic approach to Africa: focus on minerals, basic
manufacturing, and farming has netted China billions of dollars in profit.
Fortunately, some black Africans have benefitted from the Chinese model.

Now, America and Europe are taking another look at Africa - albeit
based on the Chinese model.

The local response of many young black Africans is to buy more
Chinese products, accept
scholarships to China and learn Chinese. The current generation
is looking towards the future, and for now, it seems to be China.

I asked a question regarding the workplace abuses in CHinese companies in Africa,
the speaker stated that the Chinese continue their workplace practices from
China and export them to companies in Africa.

She also stated that the Chinese treat their African workers the same
as the African companies treat them. The only exception were the American
companies who treat the African workers well.

I take exception to that response since the speaker did not differentiate between
the Chinese companies in Africa which are owned by White Africans as
opposed to those which are owned by Black Africans.

Furthermore, in my travels to Africa, I have spoken to highly educated
Black Africans who told me of their negative work experiences with
White American or White European owned companies who hired Black
African workers. Until field data is gathered or workers surveys are
conducted from Chinese companies doing business in Africa, we will
not know how widespread these problems are.

However, if more Chinese firms adopt the Mozambique
approach: translate their labor laws into Chinese - then communication
improves. Thus, if native African labor practices are translated into Chinese -
clearer communication may reduce abuses by employers in the workplace.

China does business with the DRC, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, and Angola -
they will do business with anyone until they lose patience with them (Mugabe).

Chinese enclaves are being built in African countries who do business in Africa
and the locals hope that it will not be a repeat of the enclosures from the
colonists, which means one hopes that these enclaves will be
more inclusive of the local population.

South Africa and Mozambique are benefitting from increased tourism
and mostly positive press regarding the World Cup 2010.
This prestigious honor has propelled Mozambique and South Africa to moderize
airports, build new hotels and stadiums, and update some of its security procedures.

Perhaps China's investment in Africa may be the "push" it needs to rebuild or expand their
infrastructure as so much of their land (excluding national parks, safari lodges, and the serengeti) remain underdeveloped.

[Edit by="cwatson on Jan 23, 10:13:09 PM"][/Edit]
[Edit by="cwatson on Feb 1, 9:41:06 PM"][/Edit]