Okay so I was a little perturbed after reading Moyo's book. But it seams in fact my frustration at Moyo's peace did not exist in a vacuum, it seems even Jeffrey Sachs (if you don't know him google him), sympathises with my frustration. In a recent conference held at St. Andrews, Scotland (of which I attended), he was equally disturbed by the sudden disregard for the good AID has done, citing various developmental projects that have in fact helped alleviate the devastating effects of poverty. To that end, my basic disconnect from Moyo's peace still stands...
This is where I may slightly modify my stance, my previous comments again as a recap:
Perhaps her most daring statement was that "the Chinese are our friends." Reading these few lines my skin flinches and I start to develop this allergic reaction, on close examination I come to find that I am allergic to the juxtaposition of the words "the Chinese are our friends," in explaining Africa's current economic relationship with China. This seems to me more hypocritical than any, amid the shameful acts of human rights abuse in Africa supported by no less than Chinese arms dealing and transference of power play from the West to the Far East, Ms. Moyo seems to think that somehow China would be much kinder to us than their Western counterparts? Where is this proof? But obviously in interviews where this question is raised she shrugs of this genuine concern with once again this idea that Africa is a supposed equal partner and "open to all." If the Dalai Lama's refusal of visa to South Africa (for the fear that China may reverse it funding for the World Cup games) does not ring a disturbing bell in one's ears I would not know what will, perhaps we shall finally wake up when all our currency reads "made in China."
First of all, the Chinese are in no way responsible for our Human Rights abuses, responsibility lies solely with our leaders and our leaders alone...NOTE, however, that if weapons are supplied by the Chinese to aid in any such acts of abuse, or where their association with despots emboldens them to continue acts of human disregard, THAT, I have a problem with (and this goes for the West as well as the Chinese).
Secondly, "the Chinese are our friends," I still flinch at this slightly naive interpretation of economic partnership, that's unless Moyo actually meant it as a form of sarcasm, then I would understand. The crucks of the matter is as follows, The Chinese are interested in economic expansion, this means conquering new markets and forming economic partnerships world-wide, this is especially so with resource rich countries. Purely strategic moves designed to secure Chinese economic dominance and ensure energy security. This is not EVIL, no it's actually what every country aims for. These interests need not be mutually exclusive to Africa's interest for the simple fact that the Chinese need what we have (i.e. natural resources) and they have what we need (i.e. cash money and lots of it). I do still stand by this phrase "Moyo seems to think that somehow China would be much kinder to us than their Western counterparts? Where is this proof?" Indeed there is absolutely no proof, but this is besides the point. Ultimately, where the West and East compete for our resources we are the resultant winners; there should be a slight caveat here, which is, if we notice this competition and act in our best interest to get the best deal out of it....START WITH SMART NEGOTIATION SKILLS.
In conclusion, I still don't want to wake up one day to find "made in China" on my currency, but Chino-African relations hardly needs to be painted in such simple terms for the relationship is more complicated and intricate than we might at first assume. In this modern age, any African government that allows its resources to be hijacked by Western or Eastern interests can hardly cry the good old song of NEO-COLONIALISM.
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