[DEBATE] : Re: (Fwd) Chinese loans to Africa worry imperial financiers

[Patrick Bond]

Peter Waterman wrote:
> I guess that the object of such a holistic exercise would be to develop 
> solidarity relations between the popular and democratic classes at both ends 
> (and therefore internationally, if not globally), and the creation of a 
> radically-democratic civil society (public arenas) within which alternatives 
> to capitalist, bureaucratic, patriarchal, racist, etc relations could be 
> developed.

Sure, why not, the ruling crews are forging interimperial solidarity, so 
they say:


China says African drive not a challenge to US

by Jean-Marc Mojon Sun Jun 18, 3:51 PM ET

CAIRO (AFP) - Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao denied his country was 
seeking to become a counterbalance to the United States by boosting ties 
with Africa as he kicked off a tour of the continent.

He said his booming economy was in need of Africa's natural resources 
but hit back at accusations that Beijing was conducting a policy of 
aggressive economic neo-colonialism at the expense of human rights 
considerations.

"Our efforts to develop relations with countries in Africa and Latin 
America... are not targeted at any third country," Wen said at a press 
conference in Cairo before flying to Ghana on the next leg of his tour.

"Those attempts and efforts to develop relations are not directed at 
entering into any alliance and will not compromise the interests of any 
other countries. I'm confident that the US government also recognises 
this," he said.

The Chinese premier, who arrived in Egypt on Saturday, was responding to 
suggestions that Beijing was seeking to emancipate its foreign policy 
from Washington by strengthening ties with developing countries.

China has been accused of fueling conflict and shoring up regimes in 
Africa, including in Sudan and Zimbabwe, two countries Wen has not 
included in his tour.

When asked about the importance China intended to give the issue of 
human rights in its Africa policy, Wen resorted to the principle of 
non-interference.

"Our policy is consistent, we follow the principle of mutual respect, 
equality, mutual benefit and non-interference in other's internal 
affairs," he said.

"We believe that the peoples of different regions and countries, 
including those on the African continent, have the right and also the 
capability to properly handle their own issues," Wen added.

He went on to defend China's record in Africa over the past 50 years and 
stressed that Chinese investments were an opportunity for the continent 
to achieve a higher level of development.

"China places high value on developing economic and trading ties with 
Africa, and we also believe... there are vast potentials worth to tap in 
furthering the business ties between China and Africa," Wen said.

China's trade with Africa increased fortyfold between 1990 and 2004, 
with Beijing now getting 15 percent of its oil from Angola and Sudan. 
Total trade between the two sides neared 40 billion dollars in 2005.

"We will continue to encourage Chinese companies to come to Africa to 
cooperate with their African counterparts, the purpose of such 
China-Africa cooperation is to help our African friends to enhance their 
capacity to self-development," he said.

Wen also said that over the past 50 years, China had given 5.5 billion 
dollars in assistance to Africa, sent 16,000 health workers to 43 
different countries on the continent and reduced or cancelled the debt 
of 31 nations.

Wen met Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Sunday and signed 11 trade 
and business cooperation deals with Egypt on Saturday after meeting 
Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif.

On May 30, 1956, Egypt became the first African state to establish 
diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, and both 
countries have since maintained warm ties.

Both sides marked the 50th anniversary of their ties with celebrations 
at the foot of the Giza pyramids which involved no less than 140 artists 
and included folkloric dances and concerts.

"We can say that China and Egypt have forged a friendship that will last 
forever, just like the pyramids," Wen said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please find our disclaimer at http://www.ukzn.ac.za/disclaimer
--------------------------------------------------------------------
<<<<gwavasig>>>>