If the West really thinks China helping Africa to gain influence is a bad thing, the best thing it can do is help Africa even more. In this episode, President of the Socialist Party of Zambia, Fred M'membe, and the convener of the Socialist Movement of Ghana, Kyeretwie Opoku share with us an African perspective on "Africa's China problem". Prof. Fred M'membe was named as one of its World Press Freedom Heroes by the International Press Institute. He supported the liberation struggles in southern Africa and other parts of the world with a true spirit of internationalism. Kyeretwie Opoku is a committed socialist and a strong supporter of the African integration (Pan-Africanism).
The US government begun to suppress and discredit China in Africa
As China's influence in Africa grows, the United States government has begun to suppress and discredit China, "seeing it as a threat to African democracy".And Western public opinion continues to stigmatise China-Africa cooperation.
Africa's international attention has grown significantly recently, in part due to the successful China-Africa cooperation. Since the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in October 2000, China has supported Africa addressing problems that have severely restricted economic development, including inadequate infrastructure and shortage of funds. China has undeniably become a driving force in Africa's development.
Over the last twenty years, the scope of China's duty-free access to African products expanded considerably from 3.82 per cent to 16.13 per cent. Chinese companies have built 10,000 kilometres of roads, 6,000 kilometres of railroads, 30 ports, 20 airports, and 80 power stations on the continent in ten years (2008-2018). Furthermore, China has provided aid to Africa in areas such as debt relief, human resource training, and dispatching of medical and agricultural experts. The number of Africans trained in these cooperation projects have increased from 7,000 to 50,000 people between 2000 and 2018, totaling 172,000 people. Adhering to its core principles, China's aid is provided without political conditionality and interference in the internal affairs of receiving countries.
The Covid-19 pandemic has also impacted African economies and this cooperation. At the same time, against the backdrop of significant global challenges, it is important to actively plan post-pandemic cooperation and build a community of common destiny for China and African countries.
Imperialist are not happy about it nowonder they are supporting political parties that are pro western in Africa like upnd in Zambia among others.The western doesn't want Africa to develop because that will mean it difficult for them to tap raw materials from Africa.
To small to give a mediocre statement about USA just accept. you a failed project in politics and political arena is not for toddlers play group,you will continue crying kicking like a dying horse 2.8 is bigger than you and your fellow dreamers, failu…
Working with all countries for the benefit of Zambian is the way. Democracy makes sure all participate in governance nothing wrong with that. China has harsh lending policiesThey grab airports. Corporate with all but look inwards to develop the country period
In this powerful interview on BreakThrough News, Fred M’membe (leader of the Socialist Party of Zambia) explodes the myth of Chinese colonialism in Zambia. He states: “China has never threatened our independence. We’ve never been subjected to any form of mistreatment or exploitation by China, but we can’t say the same about the US.”
M’membe recalls that China was a key supporter of post-liberation Zambia, providing both economic aid and military equipment to defend against the attacks of the apartheid regime in South Africa. He says that Zambia turned to the US for support but was turned away; China was a true friend, even making enormous sacrifices to build the Tazara Railway, which was essential for the country’s development.
He compares the US’s strategy of domination with China’s strategy of solidarity and friendship: “The US supported the apartheid regimes in South Africa and Rhodesia. The US has been involved in reactionary coups and assassinations all over Africa, including the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah, the assassination of Muammar Gaddafi. China has never participated in any coup, has never killed an African.”
Referencing the accusations of a “Chinese debt trap”, M’membe points out that China only holds 10 percent of Zambia’s debt. And what have Chinese loans been used for? Hydropower stations, airports, roads, water systems, hospitals, schools, government buildings. “The debt problem we have is the debt we owe to Western institutions, that’s 70 percent. The China debt trap narrative is a lie.” – Friends of Socialist China
They grab airports. Corporate with all but look inwards to develop the country period
In this powerful interview on BreakThrough News, Fred M’membe (leader of the Socialist Party of Zambia) explodes the myth of Chinese colonialism in Zambia. He states: “China has never threatened our independence. We’ve never been subjected to any form of mistreatment or exploitation by China, but we can’t say the same about the US.”
