China's Second Continent

Introduction

In "China's Second Continent," Howard French takes us on a journey through the complex and rapidly evolving relationship between China and Africa. This book explores how China's economic rise has led to a new wave of Chinese migration to Africa, and how this migration is reshaping both continents. French, a veteran journalist with extensive experience in both China and Africa, provides a nuanced and eye-opening account of this modern-day phenomenon.

The book delves into the personal stories of Chinese migrants in various African countries, as well as the broader geopolitical and economic implications of China's growing presence on the continent. French's narrative is both engaging and informative, offering readers a unique perspective on a topic that is often misunderstood or overlooked in Western media.

China's Economic Rise and Its Social Challenges

The Benefits of Globalization

China's economic transformation over the past few decades has been nothing short of remarkable. Since the 1970s, when China began to open up to the world and embrace globalization, its economy has grown at an unprecedented rate. The phrase "Made in China" has become ubiquitous, symbolizing the country's role as the world's factory.

Western companies flocked to China, attracted by its large workforce and favorable political climate. This influx of foreign investment and manufacturing has been a key driver of China's economic growth. In fact, China has been responsible for an astounding 40 percent of the world's economic growth over the last two decades, maintaining an average annual growth rate of 10.2 percent.

Beyond Manufacturing

China's ambitions have grown beyond being merely a manufacturing hub. The country is now asserting itself as a major player in international politics and is actively shaping the global market. This shift reflects China's desire to move up the value chain and exert more influence on the world stage.

Social Pressures and Emigration

Despite China's economic success, not all of its citizens have benefited equally from this rapid growth. Many Chinese people still face significant social pressures and challenges that make life in their home country difficult. Some of the issues mentioned by French include:

1. Overpopulation
2. The one-child policy (which was in effect at the time of the book's writing)
3. Intense competition in the workplace
4. Widespread corruption
5. A growing wealth gap between rich and poor

These factors have led many Chinese citizens to consider leaving their homeland in search of better opportunities. The author introduces us to Hao, a Chinese farmer who moved to Mozambique to start his own farm. Hao's story is emblematic of many Chinese migrants who leave China not just for economic reasons, but also to escape the social pressures and find a new home for their families.

Africa: China's New Frontier

Africa's Potential and Challenges

French paints a picture of Africa as a continent on the cusp of significant change. With rapidly growing economies and a booming population, Africa is poised to become a major player in the global economy. Some key points about Africa's current state and future potential include:

1. African economies are growing quickly, with the continent's overall growth rate expected to surpass China's in the near future.
2. Demographic projections suggest that by 2050, Africa's population will exceed that of Asia.
3. Many African countries are at a critical juncture, facing challenges such as corrupt governments, high unemployment, and poor urban development.
4. If managed well, Africa's growth could make it a determining force in the 21st century. However, mismanagement could lead to increased poverty and corruption.

China's Strategic Interest in Africa

The Chinese government has recognized Africa's potential and has been actively strengthening ties with the continent since the mid-1990s. French highlights several key moments in this developing relationship:

1. In 1996, then-Chinese President Jiang Zemin visited Africa to foster greater Chinese-African cooperation.
2. China later promised $5 billion in aid to develop hospitals, schools, and other public institutions in Africa.
3. The Chinese government began encouraging Chinese companies to expand overseas and invest in Africa.

Today, nearly one-third of China's total revenue from abroad comes from Africa, demonstrating the success of this strategy. However, French argues that an often-overlooked aspect of this relationship is the role played by Chinese migrants who have settled in Africa.

The Impact of Chinese Migrants in Africa

The Appeal of Africa for Chinese Migrants

French estimates that there are over one million Chinese people living in Africa. These migrants have built strong networks that encourage even more Chinese citizens to make the move. The appeal of Africa for these migrants includes:

1. Escape from deteriorating social conditions in China
2. Opportunities to establish new lives for themselves and their families
3. The possibility of integrating into African societies through marriage and having children

Influence on Local Perceptions

Chinese migrants play a crucial role in shaping how African people view China and its expansion into their countries. Their day-to-day interactions with locals have a more significant impact than large-scale government projects or infrastructure investments. This personal contact makes the Chinese presence in Africa more tangible and immediate for many Africans.

Tensions and Challenges

However, the influx of Chinese migrants has not been without its challenges. French describes several sources of tension between Chinese migrants and local African populations:

1. Complaints from locals that Chinese migrants are taking over their livelihoods
2. Increasing numbers of Chinese-owned shops and businesses in African cities
3. Protests and demonstrations against perceived Chinese colonization
4. Frustration among locals who want more involvement in Chinese businesses but are often passed over in favor of Chinese workers

These tensions have sometimes played a role in local elections and have led to growing anti-Chinese sentiment in some African countries.

Cultural Misunderstandings and Prejudices

Mutual Ignorance and Stereotypes

French's interviews reveal a troubling lack of cultural understanding on both sides. Many Chinese migrants display a surprising ignorance about the African countries they live in, often lacking basic knowledge about local cultures, languages, and geography. For example, Hao, the Chinese farmer in Mozambique, didn't even know which countries bordered his new home.

On the other hand, many Africans view Chinese people as ruthless conquerors interested only in exploiting their resources. This mutual ignorance leads to the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes:

1. Some Chinese migrants make racist statements about African people, describing them as "lazy" or incompetent.
2. Many Africans see Chinese migrants as disrespectful of local cultures and traditions.

Economic Tensions

A major source of resentment among Africans is the perception that Chinese businesses are not truly fostering growth in their countries. Common complaints include:

1. Most profits from Chinese businesses are sent back to China rather than reinvested locally.
2. Many Chinese businesses operate with little or no involvement of local workers or partners.
3. When Africans are hired by Chinese companies, they often receive lower wages than their Chinese counterparts.

Potential for Mutual Benefit

Despite these challenges, French notes that both sides recognize the potential for mutual benefit in their relationship:

1. Many Africans believe that Chinese migrants can bring valuable educational and technological advances to the continent.
2. Chinese migrants see Africa as a land of opportunity, with vast human resources and growing markets for their products.

However, realizing these benefits will require overcoming significant cultural and economic barriers.

Resource Exploitation and Land Disputes

Land Conflicts in Mozambique

French uses Mozambique as an example to illustrate the complex issues surrounding land use and ownership. The country's fertile soil makes it highly desirable for agriculture, but this has led to conflicts between Chinese migrants and local communities. Key issues include:

1. Traditional land use by local tribes versus modern concepts of land ownership
2. Legal ambiguities that allow Chinese migrants to "buy" land that local communities have farmed for generations
3. Displacement of local farmers, leading to resentment and hostility

Mining Conflicts in Zambia

In Zambia, the conflict centers around copper mining. French describes how Chinese firms have made fortunes from Zambian copper, but at a significant cost to local communities:

1. Environmental damage from mining operations
2. Dangerous working conditions for Zambian miners
3. Low wages and lack of proper safety equipment
4. Violent clashes between Chinese managers and Zambian workers

These issues have led to protests and growing anti-Chinese sentiment in Zambia, highlighting the need for better regulation and more equitable business practices.

The Changing Face of African Cities

Senegal: A Case Study in Rapid Change

French paints a vivid picture of how Chinese migration has transformed the urban landscape in countries like Senegal. In Dakar, the capital city, main streets that were once filled with local cafes and restaurants have been taken over by Chinese-owned shops selling cheap goods. This rapid change has had several consequences:

1. Local businesses have been pushed out, unable to compete with low-priced Chinese imports.
2. Many Senegalese have lost their jobs, leading to protests against the perceived Chinese "invasion."
3. The character of urban areas has changed dramatically, with some parts of African cities feeling more Chinese than African.

The Double-Edged Sword of Chinese Investment

While Chinese investment has brought some benefits, such as new infrastructure and job opportunities, it has also created new challenges:

1. In Liberia, Chinese-built hospitals have improved healthcare access, but they often employ mostly Chinese workers.
2. High crime rates in some African cities make Chinese business owners fearful of theft and property damage.
3. The benefits of Chinese investment often fail to reach the most vulnerable members of society, who still struggle with poverty and lack of access to education and healthcare.

Corruption and Backroom Deals

Exploitation of Weak Governance

French highlights how the Chinese government often takes advantage of corrupt African governments to secure business deals and resources. This is particularly evident in countries with weak institutions and limited transparency:

1. In Mali, one of the world's poorest countries, the Chinese government makes secret deals with corrupt officials that benefit only a small elite.
2. These backroom deals often involve exchanging infrastructure projects for access to valuable resources or land.
3. Local populations rarely benefit from these arrangements, and may even be harmed by them.

The Dark Side of Chinese Aid

While China has sponsored important projects like hospitals and roads in many African countries, French argues that this aid often comes with hidden costs:

1. In exchange for infrastructure projects, African governments may grant China access to large tracts of farmland or valuable mineral rights.
2. Local farmers are sometimes displaced from their land, forced to rent it back from new Chinese owners.
3. When Chinese-built projects are completed, local communities may be left with structures they can't maintain due to unfamiliarity with the technology used.

Corruption as a Common Ground

French suggests that widespread corruption in both China and many African countries has created an unfortunate common ground:

1. Chinese officials and businesses are often willing to engage in corrupt practices to secure deals.
2. Corrupt African officials find willing partners in Chinese entities that don't insist on transparency or involve NGOs in negotiations.
3. This mutual willingness to operate in the shadows undermines efforts to improve governance and reduce corruption in African countries.

China's New Empire in Africa

A Different Kind of Imperialism

French argues that China is building a new kind of empire in Africa, one that differs from the colonial empires of the past:

1. Unlike European powers that used military force to colonize Africa, China is establishing control through economic means.
2. China's influence is based on creating economic dependencies rather than direct political control.
3. The constant stream of new opportunities ensures that African countries will continue to rely on Chinese partners and migrants.

Methods of Control

China's methods for expanding its influence in Africa include:

1. Buying large tracts of land to secure food supplies for its growing population
2. Increasing control over African markets through trade and investment
3. Using corrupt deals to expand its power and access to resources
4. Building a network of Chinese migrants who act as informal ambassadors and economic agents

Long-Term Implications

The rise of this new Chinese empire in Africa has significant implications for the future:

1. As China's influence in African politics and economics grows, the corruption in both regions becomes more intertwined.
2. Africa's rapidly growing population and developing economies will force the rest of the world to respond to these major Chinese and African developments.
3. The balance of global power may shift as China secures its position as Africa's primary economic partner.

Conclusion: A Complex and Evolving Relationship

In "China's Second Continent," Howard French presents a nuanced and multifaceted view of the growing Chinese presence in Africa. While China's approach differs from traditional colonial strategies, its actions still resemble those of an empire-building power. Through a combination of government policy, economic investment, and large-scale migration, China has managed to assert significant control over key sectors of African economies.

The relationship between China and Africa is complex and evolving, with both positive and negative aspects:

1. Chinese investment has brought much-needed infrastructure and economic opportunities to many African countries.
2. However, this investment often comes at the cost of exploitation, displacement of local communities, and reinforcement of corrupt practices.
3. Chinese migrants have established new businesses and brought technological know-how to Africa, but have also created tensions with local populations.
4. The influx of cheap Chinese goods has provided affordable products to African consumers, but has also undermined local industries.

French's book serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the need for greater attention to this important geopolitical shift. The growing Chinese influence in Africa will have profound impacts not only on both regions but on the rest of the world as well. As Africa's population continues to grow and its economies develop, the continent's relationship with China will play a crucial role in shaping the global balance of power in the 21st century.

Ultimately, "China's Second Continent" challenges readers to look beyond simplistic narratives of either Chinese benevolence or neo-colonialism. Instead, it presents a complex picture of human ambition, cultural clash, economic opportunity, and geopolitical maneuvering. As China and Africa continue to forge their shared future, the rest of the world would do well to pay close attention to this transformative relationship.