China's aid targets on Africans' welfare
By Dawood Alileear |
Updated: 2018-09-04 16:21
To malign the Africa-China meeting in Beijing and frighten the continent that they are in fact unknowingly heading into a new form of imperialism where China will entice them into massive debt that they will unable to repay is a complete misreading of the facts. Africa is not being forced into becoming pawns in the hands of a new master who will decide its economic fate and plough back natural resources at a price decided by the buyer.
It is against this backdrop that the intervention of President Xi Jinping must be appreciated. The five Nos approach is enlightening: No interference in African countries' pursuit of development paths that fit their national conditions; no interference in African countries' internal affairs; no imposition of China's will on African countries; no attachment of political strings to assistance to Africa and no seeking of selfish political gains in investment and financing cooperation with Africa.
The quantum of the aid is beyond belief: $60 billion, of which $15 billion will be grants and interest free loans; the areas targeted, peace and security, science, education, culture, health, poverty reduction, people's welfare, and people-to-people exchanges, are priority areas for lifting Africa from poverty. The pledge at the Johannesburg meeting has already been honored and there is no doubt that the present pledge will be fulfilled.
The early post-colonial history of Africa is a tragic story. Leaders at the helm of most freshly liberated African countries were in fact educated into being replacements of the departing masters, a phenomenon Marx called the "Boürgeoiesie Compradore". Africa was officially receiving millions of dollars in aid from the West but in fact was a net exporter of capital to foreign capitals. Developments were encouraged by the donors in areas that would favour them. Instead of growing their own food, African farmers were producing crops to feed Western industries.
Xi is hitting the nail right on the head. The aid proposed by China will emancipate areas that are Africa's pressing priorities. I am confident that the new African leaders will welcome China's offer with both hands. Long live China-African co-operation.
Dawood Alileear, president of Alif Society, Mauritius. The author contributed this article to China Watch exclusively. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of China Watch.
All rights reserved. Copying or sharing of any content for other than personal use is prohibited without prior written permission.
To malign the Africa-China meeting in Beijing and frighten the continent that they are in fact unknowingly heading into a new form of imperialism where China will entice them into massive debt that they will unable to repay is a complete misreading of the facts. Africa is not being forced into becoming pawns in the hands of a new master who will decide its economic fate and plough back natural resources at a price decided by the buyer.
It is against this backdrop that the intervention of President Xi Jinping must be appreciated. The five Nos approach is enlightening: No interference in African countries' pursuit of development paths that fit their national conditions; no interference in African countries' internal affairs; no imposition of China's will on African countries; no attachment of political strings to assistance to Africa and no seeking of selfish political gains in investment and financing cooperation with Africa.
The quantum of the aid is beyond belief: $60 billion, of which $15 billion will be grants and interest free loans; the areas targeted, peace and security, science, education, culture, health, poverty reduction, people's welfare, and people-to-people exchanges, are priority areas for lifting Africa from poverty. The pledge at the Johannesburg meeting has already been honored and there is no doubt that the present pledge will be fulfilled.
The early post-colonial history of Africa is a tragic story. Leaders at the helm of most freshly liberated African countries were in fact educated into being replacements of the departing masters, a phenomenon Marx called the "Boürgeoiesie Compradore". Africa was officially receiving millions of dollars in aid from the West but in fact was a net exporter of capital to foreign capitals. Developments were encouraged by the donors in areas that would favour them. Instead of growing their own food, African farmers were producing crops to feed Western industries.
Xi is hitting the nail right on the head. The aid proposed by China will emancipate areas that are Africa's pressing priorities. I am confident that the new African leaders will welcome China's offer with both hands. Long live China-African co-operation.
Dawood Alileear, president of Alif Society, Mauritius. The author contributed this article to China Watch exclusively. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of China Watch.
All rights reserved. Copying or sharing of any content for other than personal use is prohibited without prior written permission.
