-June 2006 - Beijing says it will give $35 million for building West Africa's biggest theatre in Senegal, in a major forays into high art in Africa. Beijing has also announced debt relief for Senegal worth 160 million Yuan ($20 million).
-Nov. 2006 - China and Africa sign 16 agreements worth a total of $1.9 billion. The deals between 12 Chinese firms and 11 African governments and companies, followed Hu's pledge offering $5 billion in loans and credit, and doubling aid by 2009.
-Jan. 2007 - China says it will lend Africa $3 billion in preferential credit over three years and double aid and interest-free loans, ahead of Hu's latest tour of Africa.
-- On the first leg Hu signs eight accords with Cameroon and cancels its debt to China pledging nearly $100 million.
-Feb. 2007 - Hu arrives in Liberia and signs agreements to donate anti-malarial drugs, cancel more than $10 million in debt owed to Beijing, and waive duties on Liberian exports to China. He also agrees to projects worth $25 million over two years to help Liberia rebuild after the 1989-2003 civil war.
I wonder about the effects these new trade deals will have on the health of Africa's people, especially the very poor.
6 comments:
It's unfortunate that Africa has the internal conflicts that it has. If their government were to have less corruption and more interest in human rights this new hook-up between Africa and China would be not only mutually beneficial to them but also for the US and the rest of the world. Let's hope that this new partnership doesn't just give Africa more resources to purchase weaponry in the ongoing shadiness that has become it's stereotype.
mana, you're right...that's a stimulating article. it was interesting that the author referred to China's "state-controlled capitalism" when some of the ill effects of the free market seen in the US are also being seen now in China (eg, fragmented health system with high privatization and large disparities). it will be very interesting to see how the new relationship w/ Africa evolves and, as you said, how it will affect the poorest people. I'm thinking it will have some pretty broad implications for the US role in global leadership, too.
I agree with Jordan. I think if there will be more focus on civil rights and aspect of liberation in African countries many problems will be resolved by time. There will be a stronger bond between these two countries (China and Africa) and China's rising authority by providing technical and industrial support will have a positive impact on overall situation. Hope for a good relationship in a near future.
Hello Mana,
This is great news. The key to fighting government corruption in Africa is to empower the people. Stimulating the economy and trying to take action to improve the lives of the people is a step toward empowerment. Kudos to China for its efforts.
I may be a pessimist on this topic, but it seems to me that China is the next in line to plunder Africa's resources following the examples set by the West. I hope I'm wrong, but China's record on human rights isn't exactly indicative of their deep concern for public health or social well being.
I was thinking the same thing, Emma.. Considering the Chinese have a 40% stake in Sudan's oil industry and a lot (and by a lot I mean almost half) of their crude oil ends up in China.
Post a Comment