“Chinafrica”: Enter the Dragon

According to a CNN report, “Five Chinese vessels shadowed the Impeccable, with two of them closing to within 25 feet while their crews waved Chinese flags and stripped down to their underwear in a sign of disrespect. The Impeccable also turned fire hoses on one of the ships ‘in order to protect itself,’ the Pentagon said.” These same words, “harassment,” “aggression,” and “disrespect,” are used by Africans and other observers as the shadow of the Dragon looms ominously over the Motherland. “Man, the Chinese are gobbling up African like it was chop suey,” says one “Sista” from the Southland. As she would characterize it, the following is the third list of alphabetized African countries on the Communist Red Chinese menu:

(34) Morocco (Chinese Embassy): “Morocco supports China’s stand on Taiwan, human rights and other issues, speaks highly of China’s resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong according to the principle of ‘one country, two systems’ and admires China’s successful reform and opening-up policy. …The volume of trade between China and Morocco totaled US$309.3 million in 1999 and US$336 million in 2000. The volume of trade between China and Morocco in 2001 was US$384 million.” (China.org.cn) (35) Mozambique (Chinese Embassy): “China and Mozambique signed Trade Agreement and Agreement on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investment and set up a Joint Economic and Trade Commission in 2001. China relieved partially the expired debt of Mozambique which should have been repaid by the end of 1999.”  (China.org.cn) (36) Namibia (Chinese Embassy): “Chinese President Hu Jintao is scheduled to pay a state visit to Namibia on February 5-6, which is expected to further promote the bilateral ties of the two countries. …Since China and Namibia established diplomatic ties in 1990, bilateral exchanges and cooperation between the two countries have developed in numerous areas, including politics, economy, education and health….China had offered great help to Namibia during its struggle for liberation before independence, while over the years, the Namibian government has consistently adhered to the one-China policy.” February 4, 2007 Xinhua.

(37) Niger (Chinese Embassy): “Energy-hungry China to seek uranium in Niger” (July 17, 2006) Reuters News; “Call for probe into Niger-China oil deal” “Civil right groups in Niger are calling for a parliamentary inquiry into a multi-billion dollar oil deal between China and the West African state. A US$ 5 billion deal which was sealed in June by China’s biggest oil and gas company, is aimed at developing oil reserves in eastern region of impoverished Niger state. However, civil rights groups have expressed concerns that people of Niger will not benefit from country’s oil wealth, a trend among other mineral rich countries which are marred by insurgency of ethnic and indigenous groups demanding fair share of their countries’ wealth.” (afrol News, July 31, 2008) (38) Nigeria (Chinese Embassy): “According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, China and Nigeria signed an 8.3 billion US dollar railway construction contract. China will build 1315 kilometers of railroad in the west African state; this is the biggest infrastructure project abroad for a Chinese company to date.” (November 4, 2006)

(39) Rwanda (Chinese Embassy): “Under [certain] agreements, the agency said, the Chinese government would provide Rwanda with anti-malarial medicine, build two rural primary schools and cancel ‘some debts owed by Rwanda.’ In return, Rwanda offered China a secure and attractive investment environment for Chinese companies, and the connection with the region through Rwanda’s membership in Comesa and EAC.” (May 16, 2007) (40) Sao Tome and Principe (Chinese Embassy): “China has decided to suspend its diplomatic relations with Sao Tome and Principe as of July 11 because the latter ‘established diplomatic ties’ with the Taiwan authorities.” (July 12, 1997) (41) Senegal (Chinese Embassy): “Senegal: China sprays $90m” “A $90 million loan and aid deals have been signed between Senegal and China, state media reported. They include a 11.8 billion CFA loan to renovate public buses, financing for a 25 billion CFA secure government communications system and a 9 billion CFA francs $17.73 million gift.” Feb. 15, 2009, Africa News (Note: The African continent is completely red as it depicts the Chinese flag.)

            (42) Seychelles (Chinese Embassy): “[A certain official] also expressed appreciation and gratitude to the Seychelles Government for its adherence to the ‘One China’ policy. China stood ready to join hands with Seychelles to further expand and deepen the cooperation between the two countries in all the fields with a view to promoting the sound and stable development of bilateral relations in the new century.”  Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, 11/15/2000. (43) Sierra Leone (Chinese Embassy): “Chinese cash targets Sierra Leone” “A stretch of land at a large-scale tourist resort outside Freetown in Sierra Leone is set to become the scene of the largest ever direct foreign investment in the country–and the money is coming from China.” Kashif Anwar, BBC News Online, Mar. 9, 2005. (44) Somalia (Chinese Embassy): “China has provided Somalia with various kinds of economic assistance. The main projects China has accomplished in Somalia are: National Theatre, the Hargeisa water supply project, Somalia Cigarette Manufactory, Somalia Banadir Hospital, Somalia Stadium, road between Beled Weyne and Burao, Barrouen Farm, Fanole Farm and a hydro-power station, etc.”–Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.

(45) South Africa (Chinese Embassy): “This week’s visit by Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to seven African countries, including SA, is a highly strategic one. Chinese leaders are reaching out to Africa to dampen worries about China’s rise on the continent, and to build influence. Wen’s visit follows hard on the heels of that by China’s president, Hu Jintao. In November, China will host a summit for more than 40 African leaders.”–bilaterals.org  (June 21, 2006) (46) Sudan (Chinese Embassy): “China Invests Heavily In Sudan’s Oil Industry: Beijing Supplies Arms Used on Villagers” (Washington Post Foreign Service; 12/23/04); “Oil for China, Guns for Darfur: A new report by a nongovernmental organization links Beijing’s access to Sudan’s oil with China’s sale of small arms used in the Darfur conflict…China’s thirst for oil is causing bloodshed. So says New York-based nongovernmental organization Human Rights First.”–BusinessWeek, 3/14/08. (47) Swaziland (Chinese Embassy): “China’s role as an investor and donor in Africa is much scrutinized. While private investment and aid flows from China may benefit Africa’s poor, what might be more significant are the lessons for Africa from China’s success in fighting poverty back home. While some scholars warn about the dangers of imposing Western institutional practices on Africa, similar risks apply when transplanting ideas from the East. It would be naive to assume that Africa could simply copy specific policies to achieve China’s success,” 5/20/08.

(48) Tanzania (Chinese Embassy): “Tanzania is China’s largest aid recipient country in Africa.”–China.org.cn. (49) Togo (Chinese Embassy): “Togo, China hold 1st meeting of joint economic commission” (Xinhua) “The first meeting of the China-Togo Mixed Commission on Economy and Trade was held in Lome, capital of Togo…to strengthen bilateral cooperation. The two sides also signed seven agreements on economic and technological cooperation. Under the agreements, China will provide financial aid for Togo to fund some projects chosen by the two governments, and supply materials worth 5 million yuan ($700,000),” 2/24/08. Next week, God willing, an additional, final installment will list the rest of the African countries being “consumed” by the Dragon.