Dec
6
More Chinese Influence in Africa
Filed Under Africa, China, Darfur, Genocide, Mugabe, Zimbabwe | 2 Comments
Much of the African Continent is mired in conflict and ruled by thuggish regimes…exactly the kind of conditions Beijing prefers for expanding its influence. And Indeed, whether it is arming the murderous regime of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe, or enabling the genocidal regime in Khartoum, the regime in Beijing seems drawn to African misery like moths to a flame.
From Richard Gustafson at the University of Denver, here is an academic analysis of “China’s Growing Influence on the African Continent.” From the abstract:
Because of their colonial histories, African nations tend to be splintered, and conflicts on the continent are frequently internal. Following the Tienanmen Square incident in 1989 and the end of Cold War, the West’s financial support to Cold War allies diminished at the same time China shifted the focus of its foreign policy toward Africa. It offered aid and low interest loans with few or no conditions regarding governance or human rights. The continuous power struggles and efforts to maintain power make China’s overtures tempting to many African leaders. Many of China’s interactions come at the expense of the citizens of African nations and create a long-term detriment to economies on the African continent.
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This is something I have seen written very often (and have blogged about) but there is no measure taken against it. Just consider the visit of Ju Hintao to Britain very few days ago.
I believe that in the middle of a great crisis, Governments are just focusing on economic interests whether it’s the correct approach or not). I don’t think it is… but hey, I am not the Government…
Nora’s last blog post..The Taliban praise Obama for closing GITMO