In an historical perspective, colonial power implies instituting both military and administrative control over a region, especially a country. Practically, this infers to the use of force to conduct business with underdeveloped and developing countries. In ancient times, colonialism primarily involved European powers who used their military prowess to subdue and rule countries to take away valuable resources. However, China’s involvement in Africa is characterized by economic power, which is predominantly meant for business. Even so, is China the new colonial power in Africa?
China’s rate of economic growth has become a key subject amongst many nations in the last ten years. The country’s participation in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has significantly increased its interactions with many developing nations, especially in Africa. Indeed, the country is currently undertaking major projects in Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan, Angola, and South Africa among other African countries (Paterson & Nothias, 2016).
This amplified presence in the continent has become a controversial topic amongst global leaders. Indeed, the relationship between China and Africa has often been deemed colonial. This reasoning points out that the relationship is a long way from being conjoint and benefits are mostly accrued to China. Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) are meant for stimulating economic growth in countries that have inadequate capital besides improving technological and management systems. In this sense, China’s involvement in Africa is anticipated to promote economic growth in both individual countries and the continent en masse.
The influx of Chinese FDI in African countries has grown tremendously in the past decade and continues to play a significant role in the promotion of Gross Domestic Products (GDPs) across them. Nonetheless, the usefulness of FDI in upgrading the economies of scale of various African countries is progressively becoming a contentious topic. Arguments and counterarguments on the relationship between African and China have been made.
For instance, China’s FDI is continually increasing in countries such as Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia – where multiple multi-million dollar projects including road and railway construction are ongoing. These projects are anticipated to bring about economic growth of these countries in the near future (Paterson & Nothias, 2016). Contrarily, heated debates have recently risen over projects in countries such as Angola and Nigeria where cases of corrupt business agendas by some Chinese firms have been noted. Manipulations of labor, knowledge protectionism, and lack of inclusion have also been key areas of concern. Following this point of view, it is seemingly hard to conclude that China’s FDI is creating absolute economic growth in African countries.
In a different standpoint, China has become extremely sensitive to claims that it is exercising neo-colonialism in African countries. Responding to these assertions, the Chinese President, Hu Jintao, unveiled that Beijing’s purpose in the continent is to assist in elevating infrastructure and manufacturing more willingly than taking away resources (Paterson & Nothias, 2016). Indeed, he views the relationship between his country and Africa as strategic and mutual.
Various facts unveiled during the China-Africa Co-operation forum underpin the benefits that China has brought to Africa. For instance, more than 40 hospitals, 200 schools, and 50 technological stations have been established in several countries in the continent (Paterson & Nothias, 2016).
In this perspective, China is carrying out serious investments in Africa, not just taking away valuable resources. All the same, not all countries in Africa have experienced equal exchange. For instance, Chinese companies have been noted to import labor instead of providing employment to locals. Besides, cheap products of Chinese origin have continued to weaken Africa’s capacity to establish its own industries, roads, railway lines, and ports among other facilities.
In spite of the arguments and counterarguments on whether China is colonizing Africa, there is a need to conduct detailed research on the continent’s economy to determine the extent of Chinese interventions and effects. Currently, there is limited research that can lead to the conclusion that China is actually the new colonial power in Africa.
Reference
Paterson, C., & Nothias, T. (2016). Representation of China and the United States in Africa in Online Global News. Communication, Culture & Critique, 9(1), 107-125.