What are the Chinese doing in Africa?

China denies that it has colonial designs on Africa. Last week, Beijing officially denied that China has plans to assert itself over Africa despite its growing influence there.

HONG KONG, CHINA (Catholic Online) - Officials from Beijing stress that the Chinese government is promoting a policy of self-sufficiency in the region. 

Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hong Lei said in a news briefing, "China has always insisted upon a policy of self-sufficiency in grain. Instead of purchasing piles of land in Africa, it has, to the best of its ability, offered aid in agricultural technology to African countries and helped their agricultural production, as well as boosted the indigenous exploitation of their own natural resources and the capacity to cope with climate change and food security." 

He also stressed that there is a consensus view in Africa that China is not pursuing colonial ambitions there. 

He added, "Africa is victimized by agricultural neo-colonialism. It is the common responsibility of the global community to facilitate the sustainable development of African agriculture. China urges countries that have taken up and exploited vast amounts of land in Africa to make concrete moves so as to contribute to resolving the issue of food security in Africa."

In the past decade, China has become Africa's No. 1 trading partner with trade between China and Africa growing more than 1,000 percent in that time. The Chinese government has also financed infrastructure improvements in and industrialization across the continent. 

Facts such as these prompted Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to suggest that China was imposing a "new colonialism" in Africa.

There is little doubt that China is becoming increasingly engaged with Africa. Already a regional superpower, China is increasing its status and influence in the region and now regularly comments on issues and concerns there. Whether or not this constitutes "new colonialism" is a matter left for to politicians to decide. 

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'