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China/Africa: Civil Society Meeting
AfricaFocus Bulletin
Aug 10, 2007 (070810)
(Reposted from sources cited below)
Editor's Note
"In China, attitudes toward Darfur are evolving rapidly - so that
instead of being part of the problem, it could play a significant
role in the solution. ... China does not want to be perceived
globally as a defender of authoritarian regimes that perpetrate
or are oblivious to human suffering." - Gareth Evans and Donald Steinberg
Evans and Steinberg are more optimistic than most observers about
China's changing position on Darfur (see, for example, the critique
by Eric Reeves in the links below). But it is abundantly clear,
however one views the prospect, that China is now a factor of
rising importance for Africa on both diplomatic and economic
issues. So far, however, people-to-people ties have lagged far
behind governmental and economic links.
This AfricaFocus Bulletin contains a report from Pambazuka News on
the first meeting of African and Chinese civil society
organizations, taking place in May in Shanghai on the edge of the
annual African Development Bank meeting, held in China this year.
Selected links to other recent comments and analyses include the
following. For many additional sources, use the AfricaFocus Plus
search engine of selected quality sites at
http://www.africafocus.org/plus/search1.php
China and Darfur: Signs of Transition, by Gareth Evans and Donald
Steinberg
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=4891&l=1
Unresolved: China's feigned support for Darfur, by Eric Reeves
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article23115
Special issue of Pambazuka News on African Perspectives on China in
Africa
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/issue/282
Mbendi background pages on China in Africa
http://www.mbendi.co.za/land/af/p0065.htm
China in Africa: It's (still) the governance, stupid, by Akwe Amosu
http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4068
China Provokes Debate in Africa, by Walden Bello
http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4065
Place Your Pre-Production Order for "No Easy Victories" Now!
http://www.noeasyvictories.org
"We were part of a worldwide movement that continues today to
redress the economic and social injustices that kill body, mind,
and spirit. 'No Easy Victories' makes clear that our lives and
fortunes around the globe are indeed linked." - Nelson Mandela
++++++++++++++++++++++end editor's note+++++++++++++++++++++++
African and Chinese CSOs Discuss China in Africa
Hakima Abbas
[Hakima Abbas is AU Policy Analyst with Fahamu ]
Pambazuka News 306 May 31, 2007
http://www.pambazuka.org
Heads of State, foreign ministers and central bank governors from
seventy seven African nations met in Shanghai, China, [in May] for
the African Development Bank's (AfDB) annual meetings. The location
of the meetings was pertinently and historically chosen in light of
growing Sino-African relations, which, at the governmental level,
have reached soaring heights and dimensions. Yet to be foreseen,
however, are the implications for the people of Africa and China.
It is to this uncertainty that a discussion was held on the
peripheries of the AfDB fanfare between African and Chinese
non-governmental actors in a meeting convened by China Development
Brief, Fahamu, Focus on the Global South and the Transnational
Institute.
The historic meeting of Chinese, African and other Southern nongovernmental
actors allowed for contemplative discussion and debate
among academics, researchers and civil society organisations
through open and critical dialogue. Participants included
representatives from China, Kenya, Egypt, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Benin,
South Africa, Mozambique, Burma, the Philippines, the Netherlands,
UK, USA, Brazil, India and Australia. A new and nuanced perspective
was illuminated that was neither merely rejectionist nor
unquestionably accepting. The meetings began with reflections on
the nature of Sino-African relations exploring the charges of
neo-colonialism versus the expressions of South-South cooperation
and mutual aid.
At the outset of the debates, Prof. Yan Hirong of the Department of
Sociology at the University of Hong Kong challenged the
vilification of Chinese relations in Africa in western media. She
noted the importance of putting these trade and investment
relations in the perspective of global trends where China is still
a small player in Africa. However, Daniel Ribeiro from Justi�a
Ambiental in Mozambique observed that the impact of deforestation
or the removal of livelihood on a community is itself colossal
regardless of the size of Chinese investments in the particular
nation. It is this impact that creates popular perceptions of
Sino-African relations. Indeed, journalist Wang Yongcheng suggested
that Chinese people view China to be helping Africa and are
disconcerted by the apparent criticism and lack of appreciation.
She said that little is heard in China about any negative effects
of China's involvement in the Continent.
Ali Askouri, Piankhi Institute, provided an example of where
Chinese corporations have been involved in projects that have a
negative impact on communities in Africa. The Merowe Dam Project in
Sudan is the largest hydropower project currently under
construction in Africa. It is being implemented by two Chinese
contractors and funded largely by China Export Import Bank. The
construction of the dam will however cause the displacement, and
affect the very survival, of some seventy thousand people living
along the riverbanks. In Mr. Askouri's view, it is unconstructive
to debate whether Chinese actions are worse or better than those of
western States as all actors should be held to the highest
standards of accountability. Rather, he turned to his Chinese
counterparts to find out how affected communities can effect change
in the practice of Chinese corporations in Africa.
China's government espouses the tenets of non-interference and nonconditionality
in Africa as demonstrating recognition of selfdetermination
in contrast to the neo-colonialist conditionality of
western donors. Professor Xu Weizhong from the Chinese Academy of
Social Sciences considered hypocritical the cant advanced by
western nations that perpetuates the perception of Africa as an
economic burden rather than the prop from which industrialisation
of the north was achieved and continues to be upheld. And in the
same vein noted that "in the end Africans must be the deciders of
their own destiny and must have the right to say whether their
relationship with China is good for them or not."
The non-interference and no-conditionality policy has many critics
charging China with failing to encourage good governance. But yet
African participants like Ali Askouri were not asking China to not
invest in Africa, in fact he noted that the affected communities
along the Nile River basin of Sudan are not, per se, against the
dam project, but sought avenues to constructively bring the voices
of Africa's people to the table and wondered what role Chinese
civil society could play in holding their government accountable.
While Chinese civil society is growing, it is still testing its
position relative to the government and the people of China.
Organizations are primarily focused nationally and have little
experience or knowledge of China's actions internationally despite
parallel issues of concern. Their relations with the government
tend to be cooperative rather than antagonist given that influence
is most effectively leveraged in China through negotiation rather
than the "naming and shaming" style of western NGOs. African civil
society tends to be experienced and mature in their advocacy
nationally and regionally but have little understanding and
exposure to Chinese political waters and processes for change. The
meeting began a much- needed open dialogue that needs to be
continued and increased to enhance the opportunities of
Sino-Chinese relations for communities in Africa and China.
The special issue of Pambazuka News, African Perspective on China
in Africa (http://www.pambazuka.org/en/issue/282), was translated
(courtesy of China Development Brief) into Chinese and distributed
to participants at the meeting.
At the meeting, Hakima Abbas discussed the outcome of the meeting
with two of the African participants whose attendance at the
meeting was facilitated by Fahamu.
Interview with Sara Musa El Saeed, a consultant with Christian Aid,
Sudan. Being a consultant most of the answers are the personal
perspective of the interviewee.
Pambazuka News: Why do you feel a meeting of African and Chinese
non- governmental actors is important at this time?
Sara Musa El Saeed: Until now most of Africa-China relationships
(or at least in the case of Sudan) are at the
political/governmental level with minimum, if any, other levels of
involvement. It is felt that non-governmental sector involvement
might help in maintaining fair and just relationship with
communities' rights and concerns being observed. There is complete
ignorance from both Chinese as well as African civil society
organisations such as existing organisations, their focus, scope,
expertise etc., which are the basic information required if any
future cooperation is to take place thus this meeting is hoped to
provide this forum for getting to know each other.
Pambazuka News: What are your key reflections on Sino-Africans
relations coming out of the China in Africa meeting?
Sara Musa El Saeed: Still, I feel the two sides don't know each
other well enough to be able to plan future plans and/or joint
activities or cooperation, so I think this meeting needs to be
followed up with continued dialogue and discussions as well as
other more specific meetings to create windows for discussion on
specific issues such as the environment, HIV/AIDS etc., just to
mention a few of the issues raised during the meeting.
Also, the general public on the two sides are not aware of what is
going on, how this might affect them, how to address the relations,
both to maintain best benefits out of this involvement as well as
stop any harmful effects that might result for the two sides. I
believe that this could be the role of the CSOs on the two sides of
the equation. There are many similarities in the areas of concerns
such as the environment, funding, political environment that could
be prohibiting at some points, HIV/ADS, funding constraints which
the two sides could cooperate in solving and share their available
expertise and know-how. However this needs to build trust,
contacts/ connections and exchange of information, which cannot
happen without closer contacts and knowing each other.
Pambazuka News: How do you think African civil society can enhance
the opportunities and mitigate the threat of Chinese relations with
Africa?
Sara Musa El Saeed: CSOs are in direct contact with communities
that might be affected by these relationships. In many cases they
are in a better position to get information and knowledge of the
type and effects of the relationship in the respective area/region
and assess the damage that might result from it. Also and hopefully
they can be the organisers of their communities to plan and act
together to mitigate and address such negative impacts. In fact
what I am also dreaming of is that these meetings form a discussion
area for African CSOs among themselves to organise networks and
regional groups in case of larger effects that might affect the
region (such as in the case of forests that are shared among more
than one country, dams such as along the Nile basin etc.). Also (I
might be dreaming) but if the same happened among Chinese CSOs and
these groups from the two sides joined hands and formed pressure
groups and information exchange centres I think CSOs would be a
real force to stop negative impacts of any governmental or
economical agreements.
Pambazuka News: How do you envisage Chinese and African civil
society organizations, academics and researchers developing
alliance to enhance the opportunities for communities in Africa and
China?
Sara Musa El Saeed: As I said in the beginning, there is a
knowledge and information gap among CSOs on the two sides and I
think it is the role of the academics from the two sides to provide
this missing information through research, studies, policy analysis
and reforms etc.
Pambazuka News: What concrete outcomes do you hope to implement, or
be a part of, coming out of the meeting in Shanghai?
Sara Musa El Saeed: We need to start thinking of how to keep the
momentum and consolidate the Shanghai meeting by setting goals and
future plans, this could be done by having continued dialogue and
discussions among the current group, and I would be happy to take
part in these discussions and dialogue be it through emails,
meetings etc. In terms of follow up action, this is something I was
hoping to come up very clearly from the meeting, however I think
there has been some points raised which need to be followed up and
formulated in the form of future plans or follow up action and
again I would be happy to help in formulating these plans. I will
be sharing the report of the meeting, which I hope to get from the
organisers, as well as my own report and would be discussing with
Christian Aid what role they can play in future actions.
Interview with Charles Mutasa, Executive Director of AFRODAD,
Zimbabwe
Pambazuka News: Why do you feel a meeting of African and Chinese
non- governmental actors is important at this time?
Charles Mutasa: There is more Chinese involvement in the African
continent than ever before. A lot of business deals are being
sealed between African leaders and Chinese leaders. Citizen
concerns over the new investors in the continent have been voiced
within many civil society platforms. The Sino-Africa summits at the
African Union level have signalled to the world the need to
interrogate this new phenomenon. Many countries are resorting to
China as a counter weight for their tired relations with the west
- the "look east" policy. China has been mentioned as supporting
dictatorships in Africa especially the Sudanese government over
Darfur human rights abuses and, as such, there is need to
interrogate the new Chinese interest versus human rights.
Pambazuka News: What are your key reflections on Sino-Africans
relations coming out of the China in Africa meeting?
Charles Mutasa: There is no citizens' involvement in the whole
Sino- African relations. This needs to be factored in by building
CSO networks and linkages. There is a need to identify the best
practices of the Sino-Africans relations and strengthen them and at
the same time do away with weaknesses or disadvantages to Africa
from the linkage. There is also a need to avoid the problems Africa
had with the bank and IMF and ensure that they are not repeated in
Sino- Africans relations. Both the Chinese and African governments
must be engaged on issues of human rights and environmental
protection, among others, as they do their business. People to
people relations can also better transform the Sino-Africans
relations if there relations remain solely at the political
leadership level the continent will benefit very little. Thus
linking CSOs, academics, experts and others will help nurture the
relations for the benefit of all.
Pambazuka News: How do you think African civil society can enhance
the opportunities and mitigate the threat of Chinese relations with
Africa ?
Charles Mutasa: At a regional level CSOs need to use various
platforms (ECOSOCC, NEPAD, UNECA, trade unions, women movements and
Pan African Parliament) to engage African leadership and advise it
on the best way forward. The AU must have one continental approach
guiding country engagements with China - it must be strategic and
based on comparative advantage. The use of research, advocacy and
the media will help in this case. Exposing, naming and shaming
certain deals can help ease the situation. At a national level,
open and transparent country stakeholders debates and assessment of
projects and deals will help.
Pambazuka News: How do you envisage Chinese and African civil
society organizations, academics and researchers developing
alliance to enhance the opportunities for communities in Africa and
China?
Charles Mutasa: There is a need to have exchange programs between
Chinese and African NGOs; the promotion of sports, competition and
cultural activities; university to university linkages; joint field
missions to projects; annual meetings and Sino-Africans side
events.
Pambazuka News: What concrete outcomes do you hope to implement, or
be a part of, coming out of the meeting in Shanghai ?
Charles Mutasa: Exchange programs between China and African NGOs,
joint field missions to projects and joint research and advocacy
activities.
Interview with Antony Otieno Ong'ayo, Transnational Institute, The
Netherlands. Country of Origin: Kenya
Pambazuka News: Why do you feel a meeting of African and Chinese
non- governmental actors is important at this time?
Antony Otieno Ong'ayo: The meeting improved the NGO's knowledge on
policy issues, relevant national legislation and policies in their
respective areas of engagement as well as relevant knowledge
sharing resources (this implies sharing examples, experiences and
lessons with peers).
Pambazuka News: What are your key reflections on Sino-Africans
relations coming out of the China in Africa meeting?
Antony Otieno Ong'ayo: The need for partnerships and programmes
focusing on learning more about how CSOs use evidence to influence
policy processes, improving information and communication
activities. The need for Chinese and African NGOs to take advantage
of new circumstances, and focus on how to make use of interactive
technology since technology is not only a tool but part of a
co-evolutionary process that shapes organizational forms and
practices. The need to access correct information from government
as a way of finding issues to raise with them.
Pambazuka News: How do you think African civil society can enhance
the opportunities and mitigate the threat of Chinese relations with
Africa?
Antony Otieno Ong'ayo: Engagement in the transformation of
national, international and trans-national political space. The
need for consultations in different geographical regions of the
developing world to learn more about the role that CSOs currently
play in using evidence to promote development policy and practice,
and explore what they need to do better.
Pambazuka News: How do you envisage Chinese and African civil
society organizations, academics and researchers developing
alliance to enhance the opportunities for communities in Africa and
China?
Antony Otieno Ong'ayo: Working together to generate useful insights
for improved practices. Identify opportunities for small-scale
collaborative work and exchange programmes (at institutional,
organisational and individual consultation capacity).
Pambazuka News: What concrete outcomes do you hope to implement, or
be a part of, coming out of the meeting in Shanghai?
Antony Otieno Ong'ayo: Undertaking research in any area of ChinaAfrica
relations, the impact of Chinese investment from various
perspectives especially on labour and human rights issues, the
impact on policy issues among African governments, writing for
publications in China and Africa (for China Development Brief and
Pambazuka if frameworks for such contributions are created).
There is a need for another forum where concrete issues can be
discussed as a follow up to the Shanghai meeting. In this meeting,
concrete measures and action frameworks can be developed whereby
some clear objectives could be set and an action plan developed to
help realise such objectives. They can include joint activities
(research, surveys, but also experience and information sharing
which can be documented and shared between NGOs in China and
Africa). Some policy recommendations can be developed for use in
the dialogue process with Chinese and African governments of
specific issues that are the main concern of civil society in both
continents. A dialogue framework can also be developed through
which those participating in the China Africa relations can engage
with the African and Chinese governments, investors and financial
institutions concerned as an alternative voice to influence policy
on behalf of the communities affected by either political or
economic policies that are implemented under Sino- Africa
relations.
AfricaFocus Bulletin is an independent electronic publication
providing reposted commentary and analysis on African issues, with
a particular focus on U.S. and international policies. AfricaFocus
Bulletin is edited by William Minter.
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