CHINA-AFRICA ECO-TRADE RELATIONS

UNBALANCED CHINA-AFRICA ECONOMIC AND TRADE RELATIONS NEED TO BE REVIEWED FOR ITS SUSTAINABILITY.

An example of Chinese Hydro Initiative in Africa. Picture by PEI (Power Engineering International).

For decades now, the world has witnessed the tremendously China’s economic growth to the extent that the country now is viewed as a threat to the developed countries in western Europe and the US. However, recently, the big debate has been the growth of China with its economic and trade relations with African continent. Africa is the third largest recipient of Chinese foreign Direct Investment behind Asia and Europe, totaling nearly $90 billion.

China’s top African trading partners in 2011 were Algeria, Angola, Nigeria, Egypt, the Republic of Congo, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco, South Africa and Sudan. The Chinese investment priorities to these countries and other in the continent, including Tanzania are directed to energy, transportation and metals as well as mining sectors.

 Many African countries are viewed as fast-growing markets and profitable outlets for the immediate export of cheap manufactured goods, and the future export of high-end products and services.

China has been assisting African countries particularly which are rich in natural resources to implement large-scale structural projects, more often accompanied by a soft loan to fund the construction of infrastructure such as roads and railroads, dams, ports,and airports.

The work still proceeding..................