China pledges billions to Africa

By Tererai Karimakwenda
06 November 2006

The China-Africa Forum which ended Sunday in Beijing was attended by at least 50 African countries including heads of state and business officials. The official Xinhua News Agency reported that 16 deals worth $1.9 billion were signed between the Chinese and African governments and companies. During the opening ceremony the Chinese President Hu Jintao said China would double aid to Africa by 2009, pledging US$3 billion in loans and $2 billion in export credits. A $5 billion fund will be established to encourage Chinese investment in Africa. Jintao also promised to cancel any debts owed by the poorest African countries.

But criticism of China’s deals with African governments remains.
Among the invited guests were Robert Mugabe and several controversial leaders who have been criticised for serious human rights abuses against their own people. The host country China is accused of protecting these figures on the global stage, flooding Africa with cheap products which have destroyed local businesses, and ignoring environmental standards. At the forum Chinese officials repeatedly said they were making major efforts to address all concerns. They also argued that China’s huge market was opening up to Africa and this would mean growth for African businesses.

But there have been no reports of Chinese officials addressing the much publicised human rights abuses of their government and the oppressive regimes China defends. The global watchdog Human Rights Watch is reported to have urged Beijing on Saturday not to help Sudan continue the violent conflict in the Darfur region and to stop supplying Zimbabwe with electronic surveillance and Internet-censoring technology.

In what seemed to be a defense of China’s deals in Africa, Premier Wen Jiabao told African businessmen that the proposed enterprises would be “open, just, fair and transparent.” It remains to be seen whether this forum will make any difference in countries like Zimbabwe and Sudan. Many human rights activists in Zimbabwe say they will not hold their breath.