China-Africa ties closer, but not without risk
- Source: Global Times
- [02:49 November 09 2009]
- Comments
In his famous letter to The Times of London dated June 5, 1873, British explorer and psychologist Francis Galton predicted that Africa would become "Africa for the Chinese."
But this 19th century prediction is inherently flawed.
While Africa has seen ballooning two-way trade values with China in the past several years, from $40 billion in 2005 to $106.8 billion in 2008, Africa was, is and will be "Africa for the Africans."
The Land of Hope and its people should always be deeply appreciated and equally respected.
Just as Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao stated in speeches delivered at the headquarters of the Arab League Saturday and at the opening ceremony of the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Sunday, diversity of civilizations must be respected.
China is the largest developing country in the world, and Africa is the continent with the most developing nations. Real "respect, dialogue and exchange" play a crucial role in minimizing the potential risks around relations between China and the continent, and in building a sustainable win-win model for both.
Despite the longtime efforts made by the Chinese government to build infrastructure, offer humanitarian aid, and strengthen trade relations, China's credibility in Africa is at risk of being undermined.
The close bonds of friendship and cooperation between China and Africa were not easily earned.
Memories are not that distant of the time in the 1970s when tens of thousands of Chinese workers built the Tanzania-Zambia Railway.
But in a fast-changing Chinese society where almost everything has a price tag, humanitarian assistance of that kind is no longer understood by some Chinese.
In contrast, Western nations are reflecting on their policies toward Africa. Policy adjustments are carefully crafted to include more altruism and equality in order to maintain their long dominance in Africa for decades to come.
