Friendship and cooperation between China and African countries
In 2007, China provided the African people with large amounts of assistance to meet their needs. China's assistance to Africa in 2007 doubled that of 2006.
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was established in 2000 in order to form a joint initiative between China and Africa. At the FOCAC Beijing Summit in 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao announced eight policy measures to strengthen China-Africa practical cooperation and support Africa's development. Chinese leaders visited 13 African countries in 2007 to promote the implementation of these policy measures.
By developing assistance in the Sudan region, China appears to take a very humanitarian perspective towards the African people. Chinese leaders expect to maintain a long relationship with Africa. China also hopes to work with the western countries to promote the peace and development of Africa.
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was established in 2000 in order to form a joint initiative between China and Africa. At the FOCAC Beijing Summit in 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao announced eight policy measures to strengthen China-Africa practical cooperation and support Africa's development. Chinese leaders visited 13 African countries in 2007 to promote the implementation of these policy measures.
By developing assistance in the Sudan region, China appears to take a very humanitarian perspective towards the African people. Chinese leaders expect to maintain a long relationship with Africa. China also hopes to work with the western countries to promote the peace and development of Africa.
posted by Maria Teresa de la Cruz at 11:31 PM
2 Comments:
The developing interest in Africa by China, as well as the fairly recent renewed American interest in Africa have some very interesting dynamics. These measures by China, as well as the assistance provided by the Bush administration have led to great improvements in disease control and prevention, economic development, and additionally efforts to provide stability to some of the waivering governments there.
During the cold war, the US and USSR competed for interest in Africa by implementing some of the same humanitarian and economic development measures, but after the collapse of the Soviet Union, interest on the continent by world powers seemed to retract, and Africa suffered as a result.
Now with China as an emerging world competitor to the US, Africa is benefitting again.
Funny how conflict and competition among world powers seems to benefit Africa, while apparent peace seems to leave the continent forgotten.
The economic relationship between China and African countries is a very interesting one. Clearly, China is being led by motivations of self-interest, along with the African countries. However, China cannot solely be praised for their support of African countries - namely Sudan. Countries and activists around the world have demanded Chinese divestment from Sudan because of its clear support of the Khartoum government that is responsible for genocide in that country. Surely China must be conscious of this association with genocide.
Also, it is interesting that China has formed almost solely bilateral relations with these African countries. China has not, on the other hand, had a significant part in contributing to multilateral humanitarian efforts for Africa -- such as programs and services for AIDS, TB, and Malaria. So even though China is expanding its relations with countries, it is doing so for clear self-interest.
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