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By HOWARD W. FRENCH
Published: August 8, 2004
Correction Appended
BEIJING - A look of satisfaction played on the trade official's face as he reeled off statistics recently from a ministry report about China's booming commerce with Africa.
"Forty African countries have trade agreements with China now," said the official, Li Xiaobing, deputy director of the West Asian and African Affairs division of the Trade Ministry. "We are doing a railway project in Nigeria, a Sheraton hotel in Algeria and a mobile telephone network in Tunisia. We are all over Africa now."
For any doubters, a glance at the statistics indicates that the official's exultation is, if anything, understated. Though starting from a modest base, China's trade with the African continent reached $18.5 billion in 2003, an increase of 50 percent since 2000, and it is on track for another big increase this year.
China's push into Africa is all the more remarkable because it comes when that continent has become the virtual stepchild of the international trade system, a mere footnote - or worse, simply unmentioned in discussions of global commerce.
Beijing's fast-rising involvement with Africa grows out of China's immense and growing need for natural resources, in particular for imported oil, of which 25 percent now comes from Africa.
Lacking the economic and political ties that Western Europe has with Africa as a legacy of colonialism, and the economic power that the United States wields because of its wealth and influence in international financial institutions, China's new leadership under President Hu Jintao has pushed to forge stronger ties. Mr. Hu himself traveled to Africa in January and February, visiting Egypt, Gabon and Algeria.
China's diplomatic machine has spared no effort, making sure that African leaders do not view its interest as a passing fancy. The prime minister and vice president have also visited Africa in the last year.
Experts in African affairs say that China's choices of partners and its diplomatic philosophy, which preaches noninterference in other countries' internal affairs, may have important consequences for Africa, especially at a time when Western countries seem largely preoccupied elsewhere. At one time many African countries, whether colonies locked in liberation struggles or fledgling, often nonaligned states, viewed China as a progressive ally and counterweight to the West. But those days are gone, and increasingly, China's involvement in Africa is pure big business.
In visiting Gabon, for example, Mr. Hu was honoring the leadership of Omar Bongo, a man who has become immensely rich while ruling his country autocratically since 1967. With its tiny size and population, Gabon ranks high in China's sights for one obvious reason: it is a longstanding oil exporter open to new investments in its petroleum industry.
A diplomat from Benin expressed disappointment. "We're a socialist-Marxist state, and we've had 30 years of ties with the People's Republic of China, and yet they bypassed us to go to Gabon," the diplomat was quoted as saying by The South China Morning Post, a Hong Kong daily. "This tells me that China has no friends but rather only interests."
Although Benin was long a Marxist dictatorship, for the last decade it has been one of Africa's freest democracies.
Elsewhere on the continent, China has become a vitally important partner of Africa's largest country, Sudan, at a time when the government there, a perennial abuser of human rights, has been accused by international rights groups and the United States Congress of organizing genocide.
"We started with Sudan from scratch," boasted the trade official, Mr. Li. "When we started there, they were an oil importer, and now they are an oil exporter. We've built refineries, pipelines and production."
He dismissed a question about Sudan's human rights record, saying, "We import from every source we can get oil from."
China's deputy foreign minister, Zhou Wenzhong, was even more blunt. "Business is business," he said in a recent interview. "We try to separate politics from business. Secondly, I think the internal situation in the Sudan is an internal affair, and we are not in a position to impose upon them."
Mr. Zhou went on to blame the West for many of Africa's problems, saying: "You have tried to impose a market economy and multiparty democracy on these countries, which are not ready for it. We are also against embargos, which you have tried to use against us."
This "see no evil" approach has not been cost-free.
In a report about the role of Sudan's oil industry in supporting an oppressive government in that country, Human Rights Watch, a New York-based advocacy group, wrote about a financing venture by the state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation.
"China's first foray into the world of high finance - to open up its enormous government-owned corporations to foreign investment - was a controversial offer to sell stock in C.N.P.C. to the public on the New York Stock Exchange," the report said. "Its offer, designed to raise a record U.S. $10 billion, had to be withdrawn and refashioned because of the negative publicity suggesting that the proceeds would be used to commit further human rights abuses in Sudan, Tibet and elsewhere."
Some experts in African affairs caution that by taking a classic big-power approach to African relations, China may be compromising its long-term influence there.
"For most of the postcolonial period, France, Britain and the United States also embraced some of the most unsavory regimes in Africa," said Gerald Bender, a professor of international relations at the University of Southern California.
"What China is perhaps not anticipating is how, when you embrace these terrible regimes, you eventually get tainted for it."
Correction: Aug. 11, 2004, Wednesday
An article on Sunday about China's increased trade with Africa misstated the position of a Chinese economic official who was interviewed, and mistranslated the name of his ministry. The official, Li Xiaobing, is a division chief, not a deputy director. He works for the Department of West Asian and African Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce, not the Ministry of Trade.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Africa trip boosts China's status
From: http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/east/12/16/china.africa/
By CNN Senior China Analyst Willy Wo-Lap Lam
Wednesday, December 17, 2003 Posted: 3:14 AM EST (0814 GMT)
Wen is greeted by Alpha Oumar Konare, chairman of the AU Commission, in Addis Ababa.
Story Tools
(CNN) -- Beijing has consolidated its status as a major leader of the Third World with Premier Wen Jiabao's just-ended trip to Ethiopia.
While meeting leaders from 44 African nations that attended the China-Africa Cooperation Forum (CACF) earlier this week, Wen stressed China's willingness to help the continent despite his country's status as the world's largest developing country.
"We still have a long way to go before the goal of modernization is achieved," the state media quoted Wen as saying. "But we do offer our assistance [to Africa] with the deepest sincerity and without any political conditions."
In the past few years, Beijing has forgiven 10.5 billion yuan's ($1.27 billion) worth of debts from 31 African countries.
State and private firms have also invested in 117 new enterprises.
Wen announced in Addis Ababa that China would cut all tariffs of imports from the poorer African nations.
He said Beijing would put more resources on helping Africa train personnel particularly in agriculture, high technology, and business areas.
In his address to the CACF, the premier also decried the "rise of hegemonism" in the international scene, as well as the need for developing countries to join hands to fight for a fairer world order.
"Hegemonism" is a Chinese code word for predominant American influence, something that stands in the way of Beijing's long-standing effort to nurture a "multi-polar" global system.
Diplomatic analysts said while Beijing had made headway in relations with the U.S. and the European Union, it was at pains to boost its already formidable clout in Africa and the Third World.
The analysts said the importance of Africa had increased because of fast-industrializing China's need to ensure reliable supplies of minerals and energy.
Moreover, Africa is a battleground in the on-going struggle between Beijing and the self-ruled island of Taiwan.
The Chinese leadership is anxious to persuade the seven African countries that still recognize Taiwan to switch diplomatic recognition to the mainland.
At the CACF, Wen thanked African countries for supporting the one China policy and for helping Beijing "safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Wen returned to China early Wednesday after a long trip that also took in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
By CNN Senior China Analyst Willy Wo-Lap Lam
Wednesday, December 17, 2003 Posted: 3:14 AM EST (0814 GMT)
Wen is greeted by Alpha Oumar Konare, chairman of the AU Commission, in Addis Ababa.
Story Tools
(CNN) -- Beijing has consolidated its status as a major leader of the Third World with Premier Wen Jiabao's just-ended trip to Ethiopia.
While meeting leaders from 44 African nations that attended the China-Africa Cooperation Forum (CACF) earlier this week, Wen stressed China's willingness to help the continent despite his country's status as the world's largest developing country.
"We still have a long way to go before the goal of modernization is achieved," the state media quoted Wen as saying. "But we do offer our assistance [to Africa] with the deepest sincerity and without any political conditions."
In the past few years, Beijing has forgiven 10.5 billion yuan's ($1.27 billion) worth of debts from 31 African countries.
State and private firms have also invested in 117 new enterprises.
Wen announced in Addis Ababa that China would cut all tariffs of imports from the poorer African nations.
He said Beijing would put more resources on helping Africa train personnel particularly in agriculture, high technology, and business areas.
In his address to the CACF, the premier also decried the "rise of hegemonism" in the international scene, as well as the need for developing countries to join hands to fight for a fairer world order.
"Hegemonism" is a Chinese code word for predominant American influence, something that stands in the way of Beijing's long-standing effort to nurture a "multi-polar" global system.
Diplomatic analysts said while Beijing had made headway in relations with the U.S. and the European Union, it was at pains to boost its already formidable clout in Africa and the Third World.
The analysts said the importance of Africa had increased because of fast-industrializing China's need to ensure reliable supplies of minerals and energy.
Moreover, Africa is a battleground in the on-going struggle between Beijing and the self-ruled island of Taiwan.
The Chinese leadership is anxious to persuade the seven African countries that still recognize Taiwan to switch diplomatic recognition to the mainland.
At the CACF, Wen thanked African countries for supporting the one China policy and for helping Beijing "safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Wen returned to China early Wednesday after a long trip that also took in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
SECRETARY-GENERAL POINTS OUT AREAS FOR MUTUAL ASSISTANCE
From: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2003/sgsm9079.doc.htm
Following is the text of Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message to the Second Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation delivered in Addis Ababa today, 15 December 2003, by Zéphirin Diabré, Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator, United Nations Development Programme:
It gives me great pleasure to greet participants in this Second Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa cooperation, and to celebrate the long and lasting friendship and cooperation between China and Africa.
Interactions between China and Africa go back many centuries, when sailing boats crossed the Indian Ocean carrying goods and fostering cultural exchanges between the two continents. In the modern era, China was a consistent supporter of the African liberation struggle, and African nations were firm friends of China in the United Nations and other multilateral fora. Today, as the presence of the Chinese Prime Minister and many African leaders at your conference so clearly demonstrates, the relationship between China and Africa remains strong.
At the Millennium Assembly in 2000, world leaders articulated a new compact of shared responsibilities to accelerate development and to eradicate poverty, enshrined in the Millennium Development Goals. For their part, through the adoption of the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD), African leaders have expressed a renewed resolve to rescue their continent from intermittent conflicts, environmental degradation and repressive governance, steering it towards a new era of peace, democracy and development.
In that endeavour, Africa’s friendship with China remains of vital importance. In peace and security, China has steadfastly supported Africa within the Security Council, and provided material support for MONUC and now in Liberia.
In 2000, the South Summit called attention to the need for developing countries to share effective development solutions within their borders through South-South cooperation. The same need was echoed at the Brussels Conference on Least Developed Countries in 2001, and at the Monterrey Conference on Financing for Development and the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002.
China, through its support to infrastructure development, health, education, agriculture, commercial exchanges and many other areas throughout Africa -– in countries such as Benin, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros and Mauritius -– has remained true to its commitment to South-South cooperation. Much of China’s assistance has been on favourable terms, and has often been found particularly relevant to the needs of the recipients.
By reducing or cancelling 10.5 billion Yuan of debt in favour of 31 African countries, China is also living up to the commitments made at the Monterrey Conference on Financing for Development.
If the same spirit is brought to meeting other challenges -– such as ensuring food security and fighting HIV/AIDS –- China can help Africa make real steps towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals.
But Africa can help China too. The emerging markets of Africa offer huge investment opportunities to Chinese private sector. The vast and rich natural resources of the African soil are in need of the Chinese technology and know-how, to be exploited and transformed in a sustainable way. The proposed China-Africa Business Council will serve as an efficient forum for this type of cooperation.
Through the work of its Funds and Programmes, the United Nations will support your renewed commitment to South-South cooperation, and will spare no effort to back any initiative that may contribute decisively to the reduction of poverty.
I wish you a very fruitful conference
Following is the text of Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message to the Second Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation delivered in Addis Ababa today, 15 December 2003, by Zéphirin Diabré, Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator, United Nations Development Programme:
It gives me great pleasure to greet participants in this Second Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa cooperation, and to celebrate the long and lasting friendship and cooperation between China and Africa.
Interactions between China and Africa go back many centuries, when sailing boats crossed the Indian Ocean carrying goods and fostering cultural exchanges between the two continents. In the modern era, China was a consistent supporter of the African liberation struggle, and African nations were firm friends of China in the United Nations and other multilateral fora. Today, as the presence of the Chinese Prime Minister and many African leaders at your conference so clearly demonstrates, the relationship between China and Africa remains strong.
At the Millennium Assembly in 2000, world leaders articulated a new compact of shared responsibilities to accelerate development and to eradicate poverty, enshrined in the Millennium Development Goals. For their part, through the adoption of the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD), African leaders have expressed a renewed resolve to rescue their continent from intermittent conflicts, environmental degradation and repressive governance, steering it towards a new era of peace, democracy and development.
In that endeavour, Africa’s friendship with China remains of vital importance. In peace and security, China has steadfastly supported Africa within the Security Council, and provided material support for MONUC and now in Liberia.
In 2000, the South Summit called attention to the need for developing countries to share effective development solutions within their borders through South-South cooperation. The same need was echoed at the Brussels Conference on Least Developed Countries in 2001, and at the Monterrey Conference on Financing for Development and the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002.
China, through its support to infrastructure development, health, education, agriculture, commercial exchanges and many other areas throughout Africa -– in countries such as Benin, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros and Mauritius -– has remained true to its commitment to South-South cooperation. Much of China’s assistance has been on favourable terms, and has often been found particularly relevant to the needs of the recipients.
By reducing or cancelling 10.5 billion Yuan of debt in favour of 31 African countries, China is also living up to the commitments made at the Monterrey Conference on Financing for Development.
If the same spirit is brought to meeting other challenges -– such as ensuring food security and fighting HIV/AIDS –- China can help Africa make real steps towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals.
But Africa can help China too. The emerging markets of Africa offer huge investment opportunities to Chinese private sector. The vast and rich natural resources of the African soil are in need of the Chinese technology and know-how, to be exploited and transformed in a sustainable way. The proposed China-Africa Business Council will serve as an efficient forum for this type of cooperation.
Through the work of its Funds and Programmes, the United Nations will support your renewed commitment to South-South cooperation, and will spare no effort to back any initiative that may contribute decisively to the reduction of poverty.
I wish you a very fruitful conference
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