China Africa Relations
INTRODUCTION 1. China’s insatiable appetite for natural resources, oils deposits and other raw materials to power its economic engine questing her to emerge as the new superpower, has catalyzed her desire to engage Africa in her Foreign Policy. This has heightened the Chinese desire to geo- strategic reach into Africa as ‘The Going Global Strategy’ according to (Corkin, 2006). This has been the plan far back in the 1978 eras of Mao Zedong.
2. China’s objective in the new phase of assertiveness is to maintain strong economic ties in Africa, unlike the previous objective of building a coalition of sharing common goals with Africa as ‘Third World’. This geo-economic factor is influenced by the desire for resources to fuel its economic growth and gain energy security. China in strengthening her diplomatic and political ties sees Africa not just as ally to bid for influence and power, but as a source for natural resources. The paper argues that China still has to improve on its diplomacy, domestic suppression of human rights and of speech which are non existence there.
3. This paper acknowledges the Confucius Institutes (state-funded Chinese 'Cultural Centers’) that have sprung up throughout Africa, teaching local people the culture and traditions. One wonders if China is positioning itself for taking over supremacy and advancing his Soft Policy in Africa. It is perhaps important to see our languages and cultures going out there too.
4. The research observes that the China- Africa Cooperation which was aimed at strengthening China’s diplomatic and political ties stared in post colonial Africa. The African plight of political freedom from their colonies, referred to as aggressors according to the Chinese and their desire to have a say in the international arena has given the Chinese a reason to defend their being in Africa. The analysis of the Beijing Consensus verses the Washington Consensus scores some marks for the Chinese in African’s aspirations.
2. China’s objective in the new phase of assertiveness is to maintain strong economic ties in Africa, unlike the previous objective of building a coalition of sharing common goals with Africa as ‘Third World’. This geo-economic factor is influenced by the desire for resources to fuel its economic growth and gain energy security. China in strengthening her diplomatic and political ties sees Africa not just as ally to bid for influence and power, but as a source for natural resources. The paper argues that China still has to improve on its diplomacy, domestic suppression of human rights and of speech which are non existence there.
3. This paper acknowledges the Confucius Institutes (state-funded Chinese 'Cultural Centers’) that have sprung up throughout Africa, teaching local people the culture and traditions. One wonders if China is positioning itself for taking over supremacy and advancing his Soft Policy in Africa. It is perhaps important to see our languages and cultures going out there too.
4. The research observes that the China- Africa Cooperation which was aimed at strengthening China’s diplomatic and political ties stared in post colonial Africa. The African plight of political freedom from their colonies, referred to as aggressors according to the Chinese and their desire to have a say in the international arena has given the Chinese a reason to defend their being in Africa. The analysis of the Beijing Consensus verses the Washington Consensus scores some marks for the Chinese in African’s aspirations.
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