Peace, Friendship, Cooperation, Development

That is the slogan of the upcoming China-Africa forum meant to unite China and 48 of the 53 African nations to discuss economic policies intended to be mutually beneficial. China has great interest in Africa’s oil, iron, and other resources while China promises to help development on the continent in return. China’s actions and the forum itself are under much scrutiny.

China sees Africa as an opportunity that the United States and Europe have not taken full advantage of, however some of their policies can be seen as imperialistic or otherwise exploitative. Others argue that it is China’s approach that will bring success. Political scientist Wenran Jiang, professor at the University of Alberta (see his blog) says, “African leaders see China as a new kind of global partner that has lots of money but treats them as equals.

Another major concern centers around the current genocide going on in the Darfur region of Sudan. There is no denying that China economically supports the Sudanese government which is responsible for the mobilization of the Janjaweed who are perpetrating the genocide and for preventing the involvement of UN peacekeeping troops. Sophie Richardson from Human Rights Watch explains, “China insists that it will not interfere in other countries’ domestic affairs, but it also claims to be a great friend of the African people. But that doesn’t square with staying silent while mass killings go on in Darfur.” Beyond that, China’s position on the Security Council is a key negotiating point for relations with nations such as Sudan who wish to avoid international intervention.

Is the United States missing out on an important opportunity in Africa that China is seizing while we are distracted in Iraq, or is this effort to make close ties with African countries more a gesture and less of an effective strategic move?