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Is China’s Africa Policy a Win-Win Strategy?. CONGO A Chinese farmer and one of his workers at a warehouse in Congo, where a $6 billion infrastructure-for-resource-rights deal has raised eyebrows. PHOTOGRAPH BY LUIS DE LAS ALAS. ANGOLA
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Is China’s Africa Policy a Win-Win Strategy? CONGO A Chinese farmer and one of his workers at a warehouse in Congo, where a $6 billion infrastructure-for-resource-rights deal has raised eyebrows. PHOTOGRAPH BY LUIS DE LAS ALAS ANGOLA A Chinese guard at a construction site on the outskirts of Luanda. In Africa, Chinese diplomats present themselves as an alternative foreign superpower, without the baggage of colonialism. PHOTOGRAPH BY LUIS DE LAS ALAS MOZAMBIQUE A Chinese entrepreneur at his logging depot in Beira city. Local activists claim that China has caused the deforestation of 25 percent of central Mozambique. PHOTOGRAPH BY LUIS DE LAS ALAS SUDAN Chinese WORKERS IN FRONT OF THE Merowe Dam, a controversial Nile River project 220 miles north of Khartoum that has already forced at least 50,000 Sudanese to relocate. PHOTOGRAPH BY LUIS DE LAS ALAS
China’s Recent Chronology • 1949 PRC founded • 1959-1962 40 million people starve to death • 1966 -1976 Cultural Revolution • 1960’s – 1980’s Friction with Soviet Union • 1971 China enters United Nations • 1972 President Nixon visits • 1976 Mao dies; end of Cultural Revolution • 1977 Deng Xiaoping emerges as leader • 1978 Economic liberalization begins; first agricultural then economic zones • 1978 Deng visits Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore - impressed • 1979 Diplomatic relations established with U.S. • 1979 One-child policy • 1986-1990 “Open Door” – open to foreign investments • 1989 Tiananmen Square • 1992 China and Russia restore friendly ties • 1992 IMF ranks China as third largest economy (U.S., Japan) • 1997 Hong Kong reverts to China • 2001 China joins WTO • 2002 President Bush visits China • 2010 China overtakes Japan as second economy
China In Africa – Chronology • Trade and exchanges since 2nd century BC • 600 years ago, (Ming) Admiral Zheng He’s armada lands on Kenya coast. • 14th Century: Geographer Zhu Si draws map of Africa (before Europe) • 1900 - 60,000 Chinese miners in South African gold field • 1960’s-1970’s - Ideological ties to newly independent states • Support “anti-colonialism” • Aid liberation struggles with weapons (case of Zimbabwe) • Goodwill projects: buildings, stadiums, dams, farms, engineers, health workers • Policy to replace Taiwan and block Soviet Influence • 1978-80’s - Maintain good relations but focus shifts to China’s own economic development and need to import technology and expertise. • 1989 – Most African countries do not condemn Tiananmen Square; new focus on Africa • 1990 – Demise of Soviet Union; China needs Africa for diplomatic support • Mid 90’s – High level Chinese visits; China begins deals for resource extraction and oil (Sudan) • 2000 – First China Africa Cooperative forum (FOCAC) - (Beijing) • 2006 – Third FOCAC (Bejing); China pledges to forgive debt and seeks $100 billion annual trade. 48 African states participate.
China’s FDI and General Activities in Africa Source: DigitalMapStudio.com
China African Development Fund - Angola • Automobile Industrial Park (Angola) • Public Housing (Angola) 215,000 units • Public Utilities (water, drainage, roads, town infrastructure • Roads (2,000 km – Angola) • Rail (3,000 km – Angola) • New International Airport (Luanda) • Hydro Electric – Kwanza River • Industrial Zones – Luanda • Logistics Center (Luanda, Benguela, Namibia) • Luanda Admin Complex (Presidential Palace , Parliament House, Supreme Court, Conference Center, Ministries) • New City 25 km - Luanda 780 km