Sino-African Cooperation and the Criticism It Draws

On July 19 and 20, the fifth Forum of China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing. The forum is set to follow the 2nd China-Africa People's Forum, which recently took place in Suzhou, and the 7th Lanting Forum, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which focused upon the issue of Sino-African Relations. These events produced the usual sound bites concerning the need to deepen the level of cooperation between the continent of Africa and China while celebrating the nature of the strategic partnership, which produces "mutual benefit and common development". Aside from these remarks however, there were a number of candid comments regarding some of the issues regarding the relationship.

Chinese officials seem to be aware as to why certain quarters criticize the terms of arrangement between China and the host of African countries with which it does business. At the 7th Lanting Forum in Beijing, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhai Jun noted during his keynote speech, "Some people say China is plundering Africa's energy and resources, and pursuing new colonialism. The current trade mix between China and Africa, with energy and resources taking the larger part, should indeed be improved. It should be noted however, that the same situation exists between Africa and all its major trading partners." Zhai's point is valid, and one need only look at the unique case of Angola, one of the most unequal countries in the world with incredible levels of poverty, corruption and oil, to see that Western International Oil Companies receive more of the country's valuable natural resources than their Chinese counterparts.

In February, foreign minister of Angola Georges Chikoti spoke with BBC's Hardtalk program, stating, "We give more oil to the Western countries?? Chevron, BP and the French company all get more oil than China." It is in this context, whereby western companies still retain the biggest stakes and the majority of operational rights in a country known for its corruption, that Chinese officials regard criticism of the Chinese approach within Africa as being unjustified, and even hypocritical. Along this vein of thought, Vice Minister Zhai Jun noted, "China-Africa cooperation does not match that between Africa and its traditional partners in either scope or depth?? Other countries should step up their efforts (to diversify the trade mix) as well."

A number of observers criticize the willingness of the Chinese government to deal with a government like that of Angola's despite apparent links between business interests and politics. Meanwhile, welfare schemes do not create immediate feedback within the welfare loop. As a result, a delay in the benefits of infrastructure development projects creates anger amongst the locality, which feels that China's investment benefits the Chinese more than it does Africans. Add to this the fact that certain development projects have been criticized for their workmanship and quality, with the general hospital in the Angolan capital of Luanda being a notable example, and it is easy to see how locals could become resentful while foreign observers gain ammunition with which to criticize China's Africa policy in general.

Yet, when looking elsewhere, at a region like East Africa, it has to be said that China has taken incredible risks in an area which requires infrastructure and trade but suffers from what the International Monetary Fund refers to as, "burdensome licensing procedures, reflected in high start-up costs, insufficient access to credit, restrictive labor regulations, difficulties registering property and poor property rights, and very poor infrastructure." Nonetheless, Chinese companies are sometimes criticized for their exclusive employment of Chinese laborers or their labor practices, leaving African people on the ground expecting and wanting more from the terms of cooperation.

At the 2nd China-Africa People's Forum, former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo touched upon this issue, stating, "when Chinese contracting firms are working in Nigeria or anywhere in Africa, whatever manpower or materials they can get locally, let them source it locally." This view was also echoed by the former President of Ghana, John Kufuor who said, "since Africa is opening up, and since China is growing in presence, I believe the companies coming from China should come with their plans open," with the aim of engaging the employment services of African university graduates. And it seems that this is an issue that the most senior of Chinese officials see the need to address, with China's Vice President Xi Jinping stating during his keynote speech at the 2nd China-Africa People's Forum, "We should create favorable conditions and let more people share in the plentiful fruit harvested, thereby cultivating public opinion on both sides in favor of China-Africa cooperation."

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of African governments and civil society to leverage China's growing role for the purpose of their own development via large-scale investment. Meanwhile, China gains access to new markets and political support for Chinese global politics in the form of political currency; a point not lost on Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zhai Jun, who stated that "China has not forgotten its fundamental features and always regards itself as a developing country. We stand firmly with African countries in their efforts to uphold sovereignty and dignity, explore development paths independently, and pursue strengths from unity?? We deeply appreciate and are grateful for the continued firm support from African countries on issues concerning China's core and major interests." Interestingly enough, Vice Minister Zhai was also keen to note that China's involvement in Africa is not designed to be detrimental to the process of democratization, noting that "support for democracy and good governance in Africa is not the monopoly of certain countries. Improved democracy, legal systems, and governance in Africa are essential to the sound and steady growth of China-Africa cooperation. China firmly supports such efforts".

One final point of interest raised during the recent forums was that concerning the Chinese media's coverage of safety in Africa. The Chinese media is often quick to report on instances whereby Chinese citizens working in Africa are subject to attacks. Following his speech at the 7th Lanting forum, Vice Minister Zhai Jun was asked what kinds of measures are being taken to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens within Africa; once again emphasizing the apparent importance of the subject for the Chinese press. At the 2nd China Africa People's Forum, China's Special Representative on African affairs, Ambassador Zhong Jianhua spoke with CRI, criticizing the sensationalist approach of the Chinese media with regards to this topic. Ambassador Zhong stated, "There are hundreds of cases of happy living (in Africa) that you don't want to report. You only report a single case; one guy's been robbed. Chinese guys being robbed in New York, we don't cover; Chinese people being robbed in Rome, we don't cover. But Chinese people being robbed in Johannesburg, being robbed by black people, you have the most interest. That's not their problem; it's our problem. We have a serious problem in our coverage of Chinese safety abroad; also in Africa." Ambassador Zhong's criticism of such sensationalism is interesting because it highlights the fact that this kind of reporting is not seen to be conducive to "cultivating public opinion" towards China-Africa Cooperation within China; something that the government is keen to improve.