IMANI’s Bright Simons , Evans Lartey Kofi Bentil Selorm Branttie on Africa- China Relations- From 2006-2007. All below published in the Asian Times. Beware of broken links. Most have been archived though..
IMANI is one of the new breed of African intellectual think tanks that publicly question the motives of China in Africa and is trying to educate both the public and politicians as to the pitfalls of getting too close to China. Our lead expert on Sino-African relations, Bright Simons together with ,Evans Lartey ,Kofi Bentil, Selorm Branttie pilots us into space, puts China under the radar, Enjoy the read.
China Smiles at Africa with two faces- January 13, 2007
When Chinese President Hu Jintao on November 2 threw open the doors of the Forbidden City to 48 invited African heads of state and governments, many people around the globe were for the first time served the prospect of an intriguing new geopolitical alliance, between the world’s fastest expanding major economy and the most economically challenged continent..Read more..
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/IA13Ad02.html
One thing China can’t offer Africa- February 1, 2007
China in recent years has built up strong diplomatic and trade relations in Africa, and President Hu Jintao is currently on a tour of eight African nations. China does have some development experience to share with Africa, perhaps particularly in the area of poverty alleviation. But civil-military-industrial modernization is certainly not one of them. China’s model is much too dependent on the extravagant profusion of resources and too unproductive to be of much use. The African connection in this context is discussed in detail in the second half of this article…Read more ….. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/IB01Ad01.html
Emperor Hu’s new clothes for Africa– February 8, 2007
Chinese President Hu Jintao’s whirlwind visit to eight African countries in 12 days will come to an end, marking a bold new foray into the “Dark Continent”.
Six centuries ago, another Chinese dignitary touched on the shores of Africa; he returned to Beijing with a giraffe, an exotic gift no doubt, but so underwhelmed were the occupants of the Forbidden Palace about such returns on their massive investment that Admiral Zheng He’s Treasure Fleet, loudly hailed when it set sail, was grounded by the Ming emperor, and no more global expeditions were again sanctioned by the imperial court…Read more.. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China_Business/IB08Cb08.html
China and US Square-Off Over African Resources- Mar 13, 2007
Last month, the administration of US President George W Bush gave itself about 18 months to establish a unified military command for the entire African continent save for those parts of North Africa, notably Egypt, vital to America’s strategic Middle East goals. As everyone knows, having been served with daily reminders for many months now, China too is on a diplomatic offensive across Africa. A crucial component of that diplomacy has to do with military cooperation.. Read more… http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/IC13Ad01.html
China draws Africa into its orbit- March 31, 2007
Chinese space leaders are acquiring an impressive feel for commercial opportunities in the global marketplace, and they shrewdly recognize that while the rich pickings are to be found in managing outsourced projects on behalf of Western corporations, it makes a lot of sense to build capacity by taking on challenging tasks in the developing world. Furthermore, several factors make it especially rewarding to seize market share in those parts of the world, particularly in underexposed Africa…Read on..
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China_Business/IC31Cb03.html
Why all fakes lead to China–June 22, 2007
They even fake dinosaurs. The counterfeit epidemic sweeping China is close to getting out of hand, if it hasn’t already. Nothing adds color to this view better than the hoard upon hoard of fake fossils being carted out of China daily for sale to natural-history exhibitors in the West; the counterfeit prehistoric remnants are so good even top experts in the trade and their scientific consultants are fooled…Read More.. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China_Business/IF22Cb01.html
