Quote Originally Posted by DuncanONeil View Post
"At first glance, Beijing's extensive investment in Africa over the last decade in the booming trade between the continent and China might appear positive for the poverty-stricken, underdeveloped societies south of the Sahara. They are not. Behind the stadiums and cultural centers “donated” by the Chinese to African states that have minerals or markets to offer, Beijing's engagement, while huge boon for China is stunningly destructive and inhumane.

Despite some recent contraction in investment – due to the global economic downturn – china draws a third of its oil from African producers and has become the continent's second largest trading partner behind the United States (suppressing Britain and France). The new “China trade” will reach $100 billion in 2010.

It should be good news for Africans. But it isn't. China bribes freely in environments where corruption is already enemy number one. Beijing's addictive loans come with no strings attached – unlike Western loans, which insists on supervision of how the money is spent. This allows well-connected kleptocrats To pocket what the people will have to pay back. And China's policy of “non-interference in domestic affairs” is welcomed by dictators and thugs, from Sudan to Zimbabwe, who have been cut off from western funds and investment. China not only ignores atrocities, but can be counted on to veto UN Security Council measures meant to halt genocide, ethnic cleansing, and state brutality against citizens.

China needs metals, minerals, and oil. Africa has them in abundance. But the terms of trade are manipulated in Beijing's favor, on top of which much of the car or riding on Chinese container ships is either arms for rogue regimes (such as Equatorial Guinea on a entry Sudan and Zimbabwe) or tea products that undercut struggling domestic industries. In a basic clothing, an industry in which Africa seem to have a fighting chance, Chinese dumping is wiped out local businesses. Meanwhile, an influx of Chinese merchants has been shattering traditional market relations, a native shopkeepers and vendors into poverty.

The Chinese build roads, bridges, and railways. But those lines of communications lead to Chinese owned and Chinese operated mines or oil fields in which the locals labor in abysmal conditions - sometimes naked, diseased, and starving – with safety not even an afterthought.

The Chinese import their own skilled labor, rather than developing local talent, and their exclusive behavior and arrogance alienated local populations. But the contents “big men” have been bought, and the people have no power. So China continues to extract wealth, dump cheap products, corrupt struggling governments, abet atrocity and genocide, and destroy local industries. It's all part of Beijing's long-term vision to “own” the continent's resources, to addict states and societies to income from the sale of oil and valuable metals until they have no economic safety net, no diversification. Then Beijing can call in its “generous” loans and set even harsher terms of trade.

Inevitably, many in our foreign-policy community argue that any investment in Africa is good. Such intellectuals might have made a case for King Leopold of Belgium's murderous exploitation of the Congo.

While Chinese engagement isn't a direct threat to the security of the United States, it increases the flashpoint danger in the Indian Ocean region. China needs Africa from materials and, therefore, open sea lanes. But in a crisis the US Navy could close the Indian Ocean Chinese shipping (a long war with China would hinge on a vast blockade). Aware of the danger, Beijing is seeking naval bases and allies around the Indian Ocean littoral.

Finally, China's slow, methodical rape of Africa set back US efforts to help African populations achieve good government and the rule of law, to fight corruption, and gain self-sufficiency. China wants a corrupt, broken, impoverished Africa it can exploit. The US wants thriving democratic partners. And never the twain shall meet.

Watch: while African populations rebel against Chinese economic imperialism?

Crisis Watch Bottom Line: China has become our main competitor for natural resources, and China is unscrupulous and merciless. A confrontation, at some “distant outpost,” is only a matter of time."
(China's Rape of Africa, Ralph Peters)
So basically god forbid China should do what every westernized nation did to make its economy succeed.