In search of abundant supplies of hydrocarbons, iron ore, copper and cotton at the lowest possible prices, required to maintain as well accelerate its economic growth Beijing, once considered as the sleeping tiger, is out desperately to court Africa, “the land of myth and miracles,” as official posters call it. Political leaders of 48 of the 53 African countries, including 40 heads of state, arrived this weekend for a huge diplomatic event, the China-Africa forum, reports The New York Times.
In return, Communist China offers aid to help African nations improve roads, railways and schools and consumer items, flooding other countries. The hidden agenda is to redraw the world’s strategic map by forming tighter political ties between China , which has the world’s fastest-growing major economy, and Africa, a continent whose leaders often complain about being neglected by the United States and Europe.
China does not follow the international lending standards intended to fight corruption in the region. It has embraced the leaders of Sudan and Zimbabwe, two countries that are under heavy pressure to improve their poor human rights records. Major oil companies have complained that China uses its influence to secure business opportunities for its state-owned companies.
Some African economists complain, too, that China wants to extract raw materials for industry and then sell manufactured goods back to Africa , a mercantilist pattern that failed to bring sustained growth in the past.
However, China seems to be oblivious of the fact that its neighbour India, another emerging economy in the region, may too join it in the near future in the race to win African countries. But the difference is that India, with a good human rights record cannot overlook its democratic obligation to ensure that human rights are respected in some African countries which have earned the dubious distinction of disregarding human rights.
