Comment: Hu Jintao in Africa

Chinese President Hu Jintao is in the middle of his whirlwind tour of Africa, cementing economic partnerships and ensuring Chinese access to Africa’s natural resources for years to come. China has concentrated diplomatic efforts in Africa since the middle of the 20th century (if not earlier), and its relations with African countries have always been characterized in glowing terms – developing nations in solidarity allowing for greater influence on the world stage, China engaging in economic largesse in the interest of empowering the Third World, and now a mutually beneficial relationship that brings economic assistance and Chinese know-how to Africa in exchange for market access and natural resources to feed China’s ever growing appetite. The beast must be fed. China has announced that it will write off the debt of 33 African countries, further improving ties with governments on the continent. But does all of this really benefit the people of Africa? Does it serve their long-term interests? The aid from China comes with no preconditions, no call for economic liberalization or fairer distribution of wealth, and no calls for the development of democratic institutions. Chinese products now flood many markets in Africa and are squeezing out local goods. And Chinese workers are often brought in to work on Chinese sponsored construction projects, leaving African workers to watch from the sidelines.

So this week as Hu’s traveling circus landed in Zambia it was to a growing chorus of “boo’s.” Anti- Chinese sentiment in Zambia is on the rise. Two years ago 50 Zambian miners perished in an explosion at a Chinese-run mine, a tragedy said to be caused by poor safety standards. The families of the victims were rumored to be planning a protest during Hu’s visit over the meager compensation they received from the Chinese government. Hu cancelled a planned visit to the mine. Zambian opposition leaders have said they want to expel Chinese traders from the country. And the Economic Association of Zambia has said Chinese business practices are exploitative, create unsafe working conditions and provide low wages. Could this be an indication that Africa is becoming more wary of China’s intentions? Are China’s intentions righteous or are they moving toward what some call the “economic colonization” of Africa? Who knows? Hu knows.