IV-2 Question: Recently, some research institutions and media outlets in Western countries reported that China's increasingly political and diplomatic influence in and growing relations with African nations are out of consideration of oil resources there, and China is practicing neocolonialism in the African continent. Are these comments reasonable? What kind of benefit can African countries get from fostering relations with China?
A: Monopolizing the economy and controlling political resources are the nature of colonialism, old and new. However, what China has done for African countries in the past five decades is assistance without any political strings. Many assistance projects, including the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, have become symbols of Sino-African friendship. A total of 150,000 Chinese doctors have relieved the pain of disease for the African peoples. Tens of thousands of Chinese people have contributed to the economic development of African countries; some have even sacrificed their lives there.
Today, China is conducting oil trade with some African nations. The normal cooperation based on mutual benefit is open and transparent. According to statistics, Africa exported 8.7 percent of its oil to China, 36 percent of that to Europe and 33 percent to the United States. If a mere of 8.7 percent is considered reaping African's resources, what are European nations and the United States doing in Africa? Besides, China purchases oil at reasonable market prices. The trade relations between China and African countries are built on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. China adheres to international trade norms, never seeks to monopolize the oil resources in Africa, nor interfere with other countries' cooperation with African nations. Under this backdrop, it is unreasonable to point a finger at the energy cooperation between China and Africa.
Though also a developing country, China is willing to shoulder its own responsibility on the issue of Africa's development, and tries its best to help the African economies. China will make its efforts to fortify economic and trade relations with African countries from three aspects: First, China will take effective measures to actively enlarge imports of African products and create favorable conditions for Africa to promote its commodities; Second, China will combine technological assistance to economic assistance and cooperation closely and help to boost the ability of African countries in self-development; Third, China will devote more effort to assisting African countries in training technological and management personnel.
China is the biggest developing country in the world, and Africa is the continent with the biggest number of developing countries. China and Africa are complementary partners that can achieve mutual benefit and a "win-win" deal. Africa is home to 53 countries and a population of 900 million people. With rich natural and human resources, Africa provides a huge market and great potential for development. Cooperation in resource development and boosting the economy has been the urgent demand of many African countries. After reform and opening up for almost three decades, China has witnessed noticeable growth in economic scale and comprehensive national strength. According to the principle of mutual benefit and common development, China will continue to launch economic and trade cooperation and bring more opportunities to the economic development of African countries.
(China.org.cn)