The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has grown into a neocolonial state. Although it does not have the colonies that imperial countries formerly did, it is thought to act as if it does. “The broad characteristics of China’s dealings with various countries now show a remarkable resemblance to European colonial powers’ connections with African and Middle Eastern countries in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries,” writes China historian Jean-Marc F. Blanchard. We see countries exchanging primary products for Chinese-made ones, China gaining economic dominance in local economies, countries becoming heavily indebted to the PRC, China exerting more significant influence over local political, cultural, and security dynamics, and Chinese living in their own ‘ex-pat enclaves.’” While Blanchard adds nuance to this storey in his research, it appears that many specialists believe it to be true.
Beijing’s new global infrastructure projects, like pipelines and highways, are expected to boost the flow of resources into the PRC. These plans, according to reports, will bankrupt national treasuries. Furthermore, while they employ many Chinese people, Chinese projects and investments rely primarily on local suppliers and partners and generate very few jobs. Finally, by undermining indigenous industry, China is thought to inflict more harm than good to host countries.
China’s new global abuse campaign is presented as primarily affecting Africa. China is said to be reinforcing its industries by taking raw materials such as minerals, fossil fuels, and agricultural commodities worldwide, with Africa being a top priority. China is Africa’s most significant trading partner and has a “presence” in 39 African countries. Even though China’s tens of billions in investments and loans are usually accepted by cash-strapped African governments, they come with a slew of conditions.
China eclipsed the United States as Africa’s most important commercial partner nine years ago. China has been active on the continent, despite only Kenya and Ethiopia is among the 30 countries that signed commercial and trade agreements at last year’s Belt and Road Forum (Barf) in Beijing.
Kenya’s 290-mile railway between Nairobi and Mombasa, which opened to the public last year, is the centrepiece of the Belt and Road initiative. The network will be expanded into South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. It is already the country’s most major infrastructure project since independence.
Meanwhile, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s landlocked capital, has received a 470-mile electrified train line connecting it to Djibouti’s port. The £2.5 billion facilities, financed by a Chinese bank and built by Chinese companies, were completed in January. China also funded and constructed Addis’ new light rail system, which Shenzhen Metro Group operates. In addition, in exchange for significant investments, preferential loans, a pipeline, and two airports, Djibouti acquired China’s first overseas military installation.
While the Belt and Road Initiative has concentrated on east Africa, Chinese infrastructure projects in Angola and Nigeria also include ports along the coast from Dakar to Libreville and Lagos. Beijing has also expressed interest in the African Union’s proposal for a pan-African high-speed rail network.
Uganda has fallen victim to what is known as China’s ‘debt trap’ strategy. Due to the country’s failure to repay a loan intended for its expansion, they are in danger of losing its Entebbe International Airport. Uganda received $207 million from China’s Export-Import Bank (EXIM) in 2015, with a 2% interest rate upon distribution, for the expansion of Entebbe airport. The loan was for a 20-year term with a seven-year grace period. According to African media reports, Uganda’s government dropped the clause granting international immunity in exchange for the loan, which was attached to the country’s only international airport. This implies that China will be able to take control of Entebbe International Airport without resorting to international arbitration.
Ugandan authorities travelled to China in March 2021, anticipating a crisis, to amend the loan agreement’s stipulations. The contract, however, fell through, and China refused to change the pact’s initial parameters, leaving the country out in the cold. Entebbe International Airport is not only Uganda’s busiest airport, with over 1.9 million passengers passing through each year, but it is also the country’s only international airport.
Furthermore, unlike in other regions where China is actively pushing forward, African governments are unwilling – or unable – to adequately fight back and negotiate better terms for the transactions. At the 2018 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), African leaders lavished praise on China, demonstrating how important China has become to them compared to the United Nations, the United States, and the European Union.
The West has abandoned Africa, its former sphere of influence, and has given Beijing the land. However, regardless of how hard China’s senior diplomats deny it, a rude awakening is coming for African governments hoping to escape Western conditionality by embracing China: colonialism has returned – but with Chinese characteristics.
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