Chinalization of African economy: Challenges for Africa Vulnerability
The economic
expansionist policy of China in the recent times is
an apparent understanding that China wants a balance
of power in the international business frontyard.
China ever growing population and its undoubted
territorial size is an indication for geopolitics
(living space). Chinese policy makers were daunted
by the future leaving them no option than to impress
the present for a better prosperous posterity.
Technically, China still maintains and preserves its
communist principles but pragmatically applied
certain fundamentals of liberal capitalism, a
necessity for balancing power among its neighbours
and international contestants.
Both the American and European markets nurture the
fear of Chinese expansionist policy a vivid
indication of Chinese growing presence in the
northern hemisphere. Of about thirty countries
constituting South America, China has entrenched its
economic presence in twenty-one countries leading to
the propaganda of neo-colonialism sponsored by both
American and Europeans. American domestic industries
are on the apex of hatred for Chinese marketers due
to their cheap products exploring, infiltrating, and
overwhelming the American market. The implication of
this fear would be the consequential effect of
welcoming China into the World Trade Organization.
China is of course taking chances of the free-market
principle of the liberal capitalism which is an
opportunity for economic tentacles expansion.
The legitimacy and continuous hegemony of every
super power lies in the ability to amass wealth,
resources and keep surpluses. China being a super
power on its own right is actively struggling to
keep pace with the world resources and that
obviously explains its mercantilism policy.
The unjustifiable presence of colonial powers on the
continent of Africa indicates the resources
potential of the continent. Continental Africa was
plundered and drained of its human and natural
resources, with less rationality for its development
as reciprocity. The age of colonialism though has
drawn its curtain, yet the continent in still
punctuated by the offshoots of colonial powers in
the shape of multinational corporations. Africa is
witnessing and welcoming another friend so to say,
carrying the flag of the only Asian representative
in the permanent seats of the United Nations
Security Council.
African’s approach to China economic influence is of
twofold, among the right (conservatives) it is a
complement to the developmental policies stated by
African leaders for the next millennium. Obviously
that does not sound well before the leftist
(anti-foundation) taking exception to it as a New
Partnership for Africa exploitation. Be that it may,
both sides of the coin might be right in their own
senses, as both would claim progress and development
for Africa as justification. Observing Chinese
presence with critical mind from a different lens,
arguably China should be accorded a second thought
and welcomed on various premises.
The presence of multinational corporations on the
continent has brought more harm than good. These
corporations have played significant part in African
domestic politics, contributing to political
instability rather than harmonious existence between
the rulers and the ruled. Many of the oil companies
operating in Nigeria are lucid testimonies; events
have shown government weakness, an inability to
create balance between peoples’ demand and
multinationals’ interest.
Arguably, most government are keen to establish
their legitimacy, trying to maintain peace and
security. Since most African government shares
certain economic interest with these multinationals
they rather throw support for the multinationals
than their people. Legitimizing the use of violence
for states security as a tool of maintaining and
orderly society
Unlike the western corporations, the Chinese
investors are very much distance and not ready for
interference in domestic politics. This aloofness
from domestic politics distinctively will make a
difference between corporations that have dragged
Africa into muddy wars and conflicts. The pages of
African history still preserve the memories and the
effect of foreign companies in the Niger Delta
(Nigeria), Sierra Leone, Congo to mention few.
Perhaps if African leaders want a change of bearing
and shift of policy from the west to the east,
looking eastward should open a new channel for
African development. Channelling African policy
eastward could restage the “Flying Geese Theory” in
Africa. The East Asian development in the 80s was a
drastic overturn developmental wise. These countries
broke away from the shadow of colonialism; they
discontinued reliance on their former colonial
masters, but welcomed fellow eastern Japan, hence
Continental African should as well “Let the Chinese
Lead”. China being a developing country and its
economic viability exempt it from all shadow of
doubt. The Chinese investment policy and game is
win-win game, not a zero-sum game often played by
the western corporation. On this platform, arguably
China could be a good partner for Africans.
Chinese investors should be given appreciable
respite and concern as they share same symbol of
developing countries with most of the African
countries. Counter-Chinalization would be less
productive and would justify Machiavelli assertion
that “when a weak state supports stronger state
against other weaker states, a time will come when
the strong will hunt on its weaker supporter”.
Assuming this Machiavellian theory is true; Africa
should not refuse the reception of China as that
would be tantamount to assisting EU-American
interest.
Even though the Chinese might be harbouring covert
intention for the African market, but the outward
investment concern should be closely acknowledged.
What should interest Africa most is having a sound
leverage with the Chinese investors. Since they are
not in for zero-sum game, hence the ample
opportunity is amplified for bargaining.
Japanese type of capital investment and development
of East Asian countries is what should be demanded
of the Chinese investment. Investment in capital
intensive industries should be bargained, inflow of
capital and expertise should second capital inflow.
The development of Africa lies on the shoulder of
true African leaders, not surrogates and sycophants.
It should be prime responsibility of African leaders
to understand the Chinese mind, business interest
and the needs of the continent. Chinese investors
should be initiated with the realities that trouble
the continent, hence thinking and believing Africa
is still under style-inspired slumber of
vulnerability should be out of the question, there
is no room for exploitation.
Challenging Chinese penetration would save African
leaders from being labelled weak. Chinese industries
carry the logo of “dumpers” would ceased to be
permits in Africa, thus caution on domestic market
exploitation as seen in South/East Africa should
avail the opportunity to leverage the market with
the Chinese.
If Africa must survive the wave of Chinalization of
the continent, element of protectionist policy must
be adopted. Such policy was adopted by Japan in the
later years after the 2nd World War and obviously
aided Japan economic recovery. It gave Japan a
competitive power and leverage within the
international market. Africa cannot continue to
share the stigma of a peripheral continent. The
recent past African-China summit held in China is a
further testimony that China is ready to aid the
course of Africa. Believing that China is on a
clandestine adventure to suck Africa dry as did
Europeans and American companies would simply be
early judgement. Chinese previous rapport with other
developing nations should be carefully appraised by
then African leaders can sit at the chessboard with
their Chinese counterparts. Apparently international
politics has no softness for morality instead a game
of interest which is determined by flair and
prudence.
The next decades should be “African Moment” for
change and development, debt written off does not
really plot a difference. Sincere initiative is
highly demanded of African leaders. The continent
should be awakened and discontinue with the past,
colonialism has always been shouldered most of the
problems yet fruitful and sincere initiative still
lies low. Colonialism has always been the scapegoat
which many African nations shoulder the blame for
their underdevelopment, but many of these nations
have long been independent yet no changes are seen.
The colonised regions of Asia and Latin America were
part of the colonial system, but their development
is overwhelming so much incomparable with
Continental Africa. It is African moment exploit
optimally.
Bakare A. Najimdeen, a research associate faculty of
Social Science, dept. Politics and International
Relations. IIU Islamabad. (olaaayo@gmail.com)
