China's growing involvement in Africa has been actively commented upon over the last few months. In 1996, President Jiang Zemin stated he wanted 'a new relationship' with Africa, based on five points: reliable friendship, sovereignty equality, non-intervention, mutual beneficial development and international cooperation. The year 2001 saw China's entry in the WTO and was marked by a significant growth in the Chinese economy (with an impressive double-digit figure) and the need to secure raw materials to support its tremendous growth has increased considerably ever since . It was decided that 2006 would be the year of Africa in China. At the beginning of the year, President Ju Jutao paid a visit to some African countries for a week. This was the second tour he took since the he had become the president three years ago. A Historic Summit was organized to furnish a new action plan for 2007-2008 by gathering 48 heads of states representing 41 countries in China who received an exceptional welcome.
[...] In the end, the will of China to build a 'strategic partnership' with Africa is a chance, no matter if this is a real win-win relationship[44]. It can be the source of growth and development; it only depends on how the money in each country is going to be managed. Is the culture of corruption going to be fought against and step by step, eradicated? African countries should also impose Chinese industries a certain threshold of transfer of technology and local employees hired within joint-ventures. [...]
[...] Also, it has been commented on that China has been employing its own Chinese workers[23]. However, it is not by chance if investments in Africa use to be low, Chinese businesses are taking risks by setting up in Africa[24], as with political instability, the business climate is not great. One has also to analyse China's reaction to this accusation. As the Foreign Ministry declared 'China does not want to decide unilaterally in Africa'[25]. China is an economic giant but still a political dwarf. [...]
[...] China in Africa: Political or Economic Interest? China in Africa: miracle or mirage[1]? China's growing involvement in Africa has been actively commented upon over the last few months. However, as soon as 1996, President Jiang Zemin stated he wanted new relationship' with Africa, based on five points: reliable friendship, sovereignty equality, non-intervention, mutual beneficial development and international cooperation[2]. Ever since 2001 and China's entry in the WTO , the Chinese growth has reached an impressive double-digit figure, and the need to secure raw material to support its tremendous growth has become more urgent. [...]
[...] As China has invested a lot in Sudanese oil, it would rather support the current government rather than take the risk to lose its investment. Since China is in the security council, there is no way to vote a resolution without its approval The same kind of analysis could be made about President Mugabe 'Look East Policy' China in Africa, Chris Alden, Survival vol 47 n°3 Automn 2005 p.15 Une puissance néocoloniale en Afrique in Courrier International n°831, 11/10/06 p.41 a country where poverty is still widespread, but where it has constantly went down from 1990 up to now Partenariat gagnant-gagnant? [...]
[...] China, a model for Africa? Nonetheless, this new turn has limits as China is still practising a 'hand-off policy', really problematic when it comes to supporting regimes openly violating human rights. The example of Darfur is striking as one of the main reason why the Security Council did not vote a resolution that would allow an international peace keeping force to stabilise and eventually pacify the Darfur region is China's support[39] to the Sudanese regime[40]. This attitude is in contradiction with the later turn of the African Union in case of conflicts, allowing interventions in case of crisis[41]. [...]
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