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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Nov 2006 : 04:57:33
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http://www.gainako.com/fejango/25th~edition/My_Homepage_Files/Page1.html
EDITORIAL
Gainako on-line Newspaper (GON)
Motto: Guardianship & Independence
.............CHINA-AFRICA RELATIONS:
......IS IT ANOTHER SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA OR A TRUE PARTNERSHIP?
...........................................................By Gainako (GON).................Posted November 4th, 2006
?The Land of the myth and miracles? This is the new name Chinese officials? gives to the African continent leading to this
weekend?s summit where 48 leaders of the 53 African countries, including 40 heads of States are attending.
The summit has received wide spread media attention and ?Beijing has put on its best face to court Africa? said New York Times reporter Joseph Khan who wrote on an article entitle ?China aims to increase its clout in Africa? featured on the Time?s November 3, 2006 publication.
The official focus of the three-day submit China - Africa Forum is to expand trade, Enable China to tap into the oil and Ore some of Africa?s most viable economic resources for its booming economy. The summit also aims to help African nations to improve its infrastructures and boost standards of living for its people.
The Times reporter also implied that the unofficial purpose of the submit is for ?China to redraw the world?s strategic map, forming tighter political ties between the fastest growing major economy and a continent whose leaders often complain of being neglected by the United States and Europe?
The real issues that catch everyone?s mind including the media in the west is the new meaning that is embedded in the summit?s slogan ?Peace, Friendship, Cooperation and Development? which China underscores to eliminate discrimination and isolation of what could be the most economically viable continent in the world.
China emerging as an economic superpower needs real partners and untapped markets to sustain its rapidly growing economy. Africa on the other hand has abundance natural and human resources that are ready for exploration.
The African continent for years and years have been marginalized and treated like a liability in every aspect simply because of its political instability and economic weaknesses. For several decades the African continent has bought into western values and political systems that are dictated by IMF and World Bank financial conditions that only work in the best interest of western economies and political structures.
The African continent needs to take advantage of this new economic and partnership opportunity from China and demand that it be treated as a partner and not like a subject in having equal access to the world?s most lucrative markets. Africa should demand that China honor its new model that focuses on straight commercial relations and fair market competitionwithout the old Western ideological agenda of domination and isolation.
African leaders should put their act together and hold China to what a leading Chinese Specialist on Africa at the institute of International studies ? Wang Hongyi said "We focus on mutual development, not promoting one country at the expense of
another." China?s trade with Africa in the last decade has top over $ 40 Billion dollars. This volume of trade with the African continent cannot and must not be taken lightly.
The lessons of post colonialism where Africa is only regarded as nothing but an economic and political liability to the West and the rest of the world should seize with the emergence of China as a world economic superpower. Our leadership should stop kissing off to the West and take control of their destiny, compete fiercely with its abundant resources andhuman labor.
The IMF and World Bank including other Major financial institutions should stop using financial leverage to impose their economic and political will on our continent. The reason the West is so invested in Asia is simply because of its growing cheap labor and massive economic consumption. Many Asian countries are not necessarily more stable that many parts of Africa. So why then, would the West focus more on expanding economic development in those countries and only
intervenes in Africa when there is a conflict.
China?s quest to partner with African does not come without concerns. China has a history of supporting oppressive regimes at both domestic and United Nations levels. Their support for the brutal oppressive regime in Susan on the ongoing massacre of our people in Darfur cannot go unnoticed. The notion that China does not intervene in domestic affairs of othercountries is a flimsy excuse that cannot stand the test of time in protecting human dignity and freedom.
China?s lack of democracy and clean human rights records is also a threat to our growing democracies in Africa. Many of the world's oppressive regimes can be found in Africa. Giving support to those brutal leaders who are willing to do anything to oppress their people is like adding insult to injury. Regardless of what China?s intentions are, the African people will not sit by and see what is left of our continent be hijacked just like what happened during the days of scramble for Africa. Thehistoric lessons are there for us to learn from and create a better future for our people.
On a balance thought, China?s new strategic alliance with Africa should be viewed with positive intent. It is the responsibility of African leaders to stand tall and demand equal treatment and access to China?s markets. Our leaders cannot and must not allow our economic and political situation to get any worst than it is right now. Any country that wants partnership with out people must be willing to yield power and compete on a level playing field. Any promise from China less than equal playing field should be greeted with a grain of salt.
Gainako: Do not partner to exploit, or milk someone. A partnership should be with consent, equal gains and ...................mutual understanding.
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"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 09 Nov 2006 : 06:47:33
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Am just worried? Our (cuurent Government) obligations and proxy for Taiwan. They led on financing many projects and lots of funds and millions of Dalasi are being disbursed periodically; with our bilateral coopoeration and other mutual political commitments at stake for each nation soverienty respectively. The "Tit for tat" policy has been beneficial to Gambia over the decades since China was dumped for Taiwan.
Its going to be tough foreign policy for us to endorse or accept China's offers towards The Gambia.
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Edited by - kobo on 09 Nov 2006 10:26:48 |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 09 Nov 2006 : 11:46:33
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Kobo,
lets see how the two will fit in at the same time ??
Name players are more worried about playing to the gallery than establishing true or lasting relationships.
Thanks for your rejoinder. |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 09 Nov 2006 : 13:17:51
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Dalton, its a good piece. i tried to followed the summit.
Well in 1885, A Conference was held in Berlin, the actual Scramble for Africa without any African being consulted.
In 2006, China is consulting Africans on how we can both prosper. if there is a scramble atleast we are aware of it and participate fully. thus we will be responsible for our own actions.
China has too much money sitting as reserves. Africa has too much mineral resources. it could be a perfect marriage.
take for example, when Gambia wanted a Stadium, we got it almost free from China, even came with a Hostel. Imagine if we went to the IMF or WB. you and I will still be paying debts for no reason. This is a type of development that offers shortcuts to built infrastructure quickly. |
Edited by - njucks on 09 Nov 2006 13:18:30 |
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Jack
Belgium
384 Posts |
Posted - 09 Nov 2006 : 16:36:37
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Njucks,
Nothing is for free. Don't know what stadium you mean, but it will be paid, one way or another. And the "other" ways are most of the time very questionable.
But you're right that the WB and the IMF are responsible for a lot of problems in developing countries. |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 09 Nov 2006 : 23:54:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Jack
Njucks,
Nothing is for free. Don't know what stadium you mean, but it will be paid, one way or another. And the "other" ways are most of the time very questionable.
But you're right that the WB and the IMF are responsible for a lot of problems in developing countries.
i was refering to the Independence Stadium & Friendship Hostel in Bakau. i am not aware of any repayments being made. if i am correct it was a gift/direct AID from China to The Gambia with no strings attached. the stadium is already there for almost 20yrs now!!
the Gambia would never obtain a loan to even build one even if she is willing to pay through her nose from the WB or any other western financial organisation.
Rather the West would prefer to lend her money so that western NGOs can come and teach gambian youths SPORTS!!!!
There are merits in being close to China. |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 10 Nov 2006 : 01:05:59
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Gambia's foreign policy was declared to be NEUTRAL POLICY and therefore we can dip from two purses (both Taiwan and China). Don't know whether two ambassadors from them or two diplomatic missions can reside jointly under the same nation that endorsed bi-lateral cooperation between them respectively?
International trade and boost to the economy may also be very important!
Its just interesting developments as foreign policies are very dynamic. Its possible China would buy out any seductive deal towards bi-lateral cooperation as a competitor to Taiwan. Its all about viable diplomacy and long term sustainability. There was a cordial Gambia Libya cooperation and later eroded in diplomatic sense, I wonder why? |
Edited by - kobo on 10 Nov 2006 10:35:41 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 13 Dec 2006 : 19:43:31
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With China investing more in Africa let's hope African governments work to ensure that a quota of the local population is employed by Chinese firms because only through employment can Africans get out of poverty.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
Posted - 13 Dec 2006 : 22:26:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Sister Omega
With China investing more in Africa let's hope African governments work to ensure that a quota of the local population is employed by Chinese firms because only through employment can Africans get out of poverty.
Peace
Sister Omega
WELSAID SISTER. |
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
www.suntoumana.blogspot.com |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 14 Dec 2006 : 08:14:11
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| Chinas human rights record is VERY poor. I worry about their motives getting involved in Africa. Cheap labour? A strategic base for war against the west? Who knows? If they bring work to Africa it is because they see a pay off for China, they wont be doing it for altruistic reasons. |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 14 Dec 2006 : 11:58:44
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Come on Bev when has trade ever been altruistic? The West didn't build the System to trade with Africans fairly it was built to delibrately expliot Africa and its people. If China creates an alternative model the West only has itself to blame by being so greedy.
Peace
Sister Omega
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Peace
Sister Omega |
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