EU, CHINA and AFRICA RELATIONS: some quotations by African leaders: ‘The battle for influence in the world between the West and China is not Africa’s problem. Our continent is in a hurry to build infrastructure, ensure affordable energy and educate our people . . . China’s approach to our needs is simply better adapted than the slow and sometimes patronising post-colonial approach of European investors, donor organisations and non-governmental organisations’ (Abdoulaye Wade, President of Senegal, January 2008). President Wade (2008) of Senegal: ‘When it comes to China and Africa, the European Union and the US want to have their cake and eat it. In an echo of its past colonial rivalries, European leaders and donor organisations have expressed concerns that African nations are throwing their doors open too wide to Chinese investors and to exploitation by their Asian partners. But if opening up more free markets is a goal that the west prizes and extols as a path to progress why is Europe fretting about China’s growing economic role in Africa?’ President Museveni of Uganda: ‘The Western ruling groups are conceited, full of themselves, ignorant of our conditions, and they make other people’s business their business. Whereas the Chinese just deal with you, you represent your country, they represent their own interests, and you do business’ (African Executive, 8 October 2008). President Mogae of Botswana: ‘I find that the Chinese treat us as equals. The West treats us as former subjects (read slaves). Which is a reality. I prefer the attitude of the Chinese to that of the West’ (African Executive, 8 October 2008).
Posted on: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 13:56:21 +0000
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