In General, the African state has been portrayed as not only dependent, but weak and vulnerable

actors in the international scene. These has also always been projected in lots of international
literatures despite the remarkably high expectancy of many African countries who gained
independence in the early 1950’s and 1960’s. Also, In the 1980’s, the huge debt crisis, and the
donor consensus on the need for an absolute and radical solutions to the difficulties in the
economy of all the developing countries left the African states/ governments that period with no
option but to request for assistance from the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary
Fund. The international development order that emerged at the end of the Cold War unraveled
some of the greatest strides in human history which are:

1) the widest expansion of democracy and human rights

2) the largest drop in poverty, the sharpest reduction in starvation and deaths as a result of
famine.
3) remarkable increases in life expectancy, literacy, and nutrition, and through the internet,
the most access to information ever seen.
Certainly, much of this progress is an attributable to globalization, economic growth, and several
investments but foreign assistance cannot also be ignored because, foreign aids has also played
an important role.

Despite this relentless and remarkable progress, lots of western donor governments attempted to
cut or consolidate their aid programs. In the past two decades, China has signed a ninety-nine-
year leases of hundreds of thousands of hectares of African agricultural land in Sudan, Ethiopia,
Tanzania, South Sudan, and Madagascar to mention a few. With its main intention is to produce
food, as they worry about long-term food security. The Belt and Road Initiative to build
infrastructure links between the Chinese interior and Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle
East, and Africa is grand in its scale, and it is also massive in its funding, but is experiencing
growing headwinds from participant countries.
Some countries have started backing away from these deals/ agreements because of the fear of
excessive debt commitments and the dire consequences of loan defaults. In some cases, countries
have had to transfer control of their ports and other infrastructure, or their oil exports as
happened in Ecuador, when they cannot pay the debt service to Chinese lenders. This developing
country debt to China will likely grow to crisis proportions in the wake of the Great Corona
Pandemic in the 21st century. It is interesting to observe that China’s building or managing ports
and infrastructure follows the same pattern Great Britain used to create the colonial empire
which dominated the industrial infrastructure of the world and covered a quarter of globe in the
19th century.

In many ways, it is important to note that the Chinese are not funding their aid program with
their own capital reserves, they are using them to leverage loans made to developing countries
which the recipients will eventually have to repay. Thus, the Chinese aid program is extractive in
nature whether in leasing land to grow food for Chinese consumption, Chinese mining
operations, oil, and gas reserves, or as a destination for Chinese manufactured goods. The
Developing country governments that have bought into this arrangement have received
infrastructure in return. But this commonly understood picture of the China aid program is quite
frankly incomplete.

China is also seen to have been on the trend of exporting not just its model of development but
alongside its culture and institutions, authoritarian politics, mega-infrastructure projects. state
based economics, and mercantilist ideology. It has reinforced this model through its scholarship
programs. The China foreign aid budget is also reportedly to be in between $5-7 billion dollars a
year and would also several attractive features for developing countries that might be
unattractive investments for traditional donors—at least on the surface. What China does
generally ignore the performance of its aid recipients (unless they default on their loan
payments), human rights abuse, corruption, return on investment, or program accountability.

Bulk of Chinese aid is regularly in the form of construction projects built by imported Chinese
citizen worker’s, this is a practice which is very rather unpopular in developing countries that not
only want their own workers trained but need their own citizens also employed. This has led to a
great deal of speculation that the real motive of all China’s aid programs, including the Belt and
Road Initiative, is the need to export surplus male labor (unemployed and unmarried men) which
Party leaders fear could be a destabilizing force in future years.

In recent years, much discussion and debate has been conducted on China's relationship with
African countries, Barnett, Fennimore 2004. With China's growing involvement in the continent,
there are differing views on whether China's presence is a positive or negative development.
While some see China's investment and trade as a driver of economic growth and development,
others see it as exploitative and detrimental to African economies and communities. China and
Africa have had a relationship since the Cold War when China provided political and economic
support to African nations seeking independence from colonial rule by Fennimore 2004. During
this time, China had established diplomatic relations with several number of African countries,
and its ties with Africa grew throughout the centuries.

China's presence in the continent had expanded in the early 2000s as it sought to secure resources
such as oil and minerals to fuel its rapidly expanding economy. In exchange for gaining access to
natural resources, the Chinese government and state-owned enterprises invested in infrastructure
projects such as highways, railways, and ports across the continent. China's relationship with
Africa has become more complicated in recent years, as some African countries have expressed
concerns about trade imbalances and the environmental impact of Chinese projects. Despite
these challenges, they continue to be an important partner for many African countries, investing
in infrastructure and development projects across the continent.

The purpose of this research is to look at the economic, social, and political implications of
China's presence in Africa. This study seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the positive
and negative effects of China's engagement in the continent, as well as to determine whether it is,
on balance, a "good" or "bad" thing.

This study will begin by reviewing the existing literature on the subject, which includes
academic research, policy reports, and media articles, in order to achieve this goal. This literature
review will help to identify gaps in existing research and provide a foundation for understanding
the key debates and arguments surrounding China's presence in Africa by Fennimore 2004.

Overall, the goal of this article is to provide a thorough understanding of the impact of China's
presence in Africa, as well as to contribute to the ongoing debate on the subject. This study seeks
to shed light on the complexities of this relationship and provide insights that can inform future
policy and research in this area by investigating the positive and negative effects of China's
engagement in Africa. Based on the information gathered, this study will draw conclusions about
the impact of China's presence in Africa and determine whether it is a "good" or "bad" thing. The
findings of the literature review and the analysis of the data collected will inform the conclusions
of this study.

LITERATURE REVIEW

The literature on China's presence in Africa is vast and complex, reflecting diverse and
sometimes contradictory viewpoints on the subject. In general, there are two broad perspectives
in the literature: those who see China's engagement in Africa as positive and those who see it as
negative.

On the one hand, supporters of China's presence in Africa claim that it has benefited the
continent's economies and communities. According to Alden 2018, China's investment in Africa
has aided the development of new industries, increased access to finance and technology, and
improved trade relationships. According to Faure 2015, trade relations between China and Africa
have been a "win-win cooperation," with both sides benefiting from increased trade and
investment.

One of the most compelling arguments in favor of China's presence in Africa is that it has aided
economic development. Chinese investment in infrastructure projects like highways, railways,
and ports has helped African economies modernize and create new jobs.

Image (1) Source: International Institute for Environment and Development. https://www.iied.org/search

The image above provides a visual representation of the scale and trends of Chinese investment
in Africa in recent years. It also demonstrates how China is a major player in Africa's
infrastructure development.

Chinese firms have invested in a variety of sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, and
technology, boosting economic growth even further. "China's engagement with Africa has been
driven by its need for resources and its desire to promote economic development," explains Xing
2021. These investments are backed by their lending policy. The lending system is an important
aspect of China's broader development finance strategy, which aims to support economic growth
and infrastructure development in other countries.

Bradley et al, 2019 said one of the key features of China's lending system is its focus on
financing infrastructure projects, such as highways, railways, ports, and power plants. This has
allowed China to build strong economic relationships with many developing countries,
particularly in Africa and Asia, as well as to secure access to natural resources such as oil and
minerals. China's lending system has also been criticized for a lack of transparency and
adherence to international standards, as well as for contributing to debt sustainability issues in
borrowing countries. Despite these concerns, China's lending system has continued to grow and
evolve, as the country seeks to establish itself as a major player in global development finance.

However, there are numerous arguments against China's presence in Africa. One of the most
frequently expressed concerns is that Chinese investment has exacerbated trade imbalances, with
African countries exporting raw materials to China and importing finished goods. This has led to
criticism that China is exploiting African resources without contributing to sustainable economic
growth by Ngwainmbi, 2019. He went further to explains, "China's growing presence in Africa
has led to criticism that it is engaging in 'neocolonialism,' exploiting African resources for its
own gain.

Critics of China's presence in Africa, on the other hand, believe that it has had negative
consequences, such as the exploitation of African resources, the transfer of low-quality and
frequently hazardous products, and the creation of unsustainable debt levels. According to Niang
2019, the African & Chinese economic relationship is characterized by "asymmetrical
interdependence," with African countries being the weaker partners in the relationship and being
exploited by China. Aside from these two broad perspectives, there is a growing body of
literature that seeks to examine the complexities of China-Africa relations and provide a more
nuanced understanding of the impact of China's presence on the continent. Some authors, for
example, have argued that China's presence in Africa is more than just a matter of exploitation or
cooperation, but rather a complex and dynamic process shaped by a variety of historical,
political, and economic factors by Alden & Large, 2018.

However, another significant criticism leveled at China's presence in Africa is that it has aided in
environmental degradation. Chinese firms have been accused of exploiting African resources
without regard for the environment, resulting in deforestation, soil erosion, and other
environmental issues. There are also concerns that Chinese companies are not adhering to
international environmental standards, leading to accusations that they are contributing to
environmental degradation.

Is China’s presence in Africa Bad?

From an analytical review, I wouldn’t say Yes or No. There is a growing body of evidence
suggests that China's presence in Africa has had a negative impact on the continent by the
European Parliament in 2017. One of the most common criticisms leveled at China's
involvement in Africa is that it has led to the exploitation of African resources and labor for the
benefit of the Chinese economy. Chinese companies, for example, have been accused of
violating workers' rights in Africa, including exploitation, poor working conditions, and abuse
(Human Rights Watch, 2019). There are also fears that China's impact on Africa may have a
negative impact on political stability and human rights. China has been accused of supporting
African governments with a history of human rights violations and disregarding human rights
abuses committed by these governments, leading to worries that China's influence in Africa may
impede the growth of democratic institutions and increase human rights violations.

Image 2 (Source): Mapping Africa’s natural resources. (n.d.). World Bulletin / News from Turkey and Islamic World.

The image 2 above is showing the African Countries and their different natural resources. If we
compare it to image 1 above, we will decipher a sinister motive between China and the African
Continent. The countries of interest with major infrastructural investments such as: Guinea,
Nigeria, Angola South Africa, Chad, Kenya, Uganda, Congo, Mozambique etc., and the reason is
not impulsive. These countries are either singly or combinedly rich in Crude, Diamonds, Gold,
Natural gas, Silver, Gemstones, Copper, timber etc.
Image 3, Source: D. (2018, January 30). Who does China priorities? Our first infographic sheds some light. Development Reimagined.
 From image 3 above, it shows that the African countries with little or nothing to offer and
reeking of poverty were not qualified to receive visits or investments from the magnanimous
continent’s choicest investors. It really calls for a deep reflection and supports the arguments of
those who question the benevolence of the Asian Maestros- China.

Another significant criticism leveled at China's presence in Africa is that it undermines local
economies. Chinese imports have displaced local producers and resulted in job losses,
contributing to Africa's poverty and inequality European Parliament 2017. Additionally, there are
worries that China's engagement in Africa may result in environmental harm. Chinese firms have
been linked to environmentally destructive practices in Africa, including illegal logging,
overfishing, and the disposal of hazardous waste causing serious harm to local ecosystems,
wildlife, and human health by Friends of the Earth 2017.

Image 4 Shows and Endagered Timber Smuggling Site by the Chinese in Nigeria.
Source: Historic Endangered Timber Smuggling Case Revealed Between Nigeria and China - EIA US. (2017, November 9). Historic Endangered Timber
Smuggling Case Revealed Between Nigeria and China - EIA US.

Image 5 shows a Chinese Vessel caught illegally fishing

Source: Sierra Leone: Chinese vessel caught illegally fishing. (n.d.). Sierra Leone: Chinese Vessel Caught Illegally Fishing.
 Chinese Investments in Africa from 2000 to 2011. Source: World Resources Institute

Despite the positive effects of China's presence in Africa, such as investments in infrastructure
and job creation, as seen in Image 5 below, there is an accumulating body of evidence indicating
that China's involvement in Africa has had negative effects on the environment, local economies,
and political stability. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct a careful assessment of China's
impact on Africa and to guarantee that any future interactions are sustainable and mutually
beneficial for both China and Africa.

In conclusion, the impact of China's involvement in Africa is complex and multifaceted, and it is
difficult to say whether it is "good or bad" overall. The benefits and drawbacks of China's
presence in Africa depend on the specific circumstances of each country and project, as well as
the manner in which China engages with African partners. Ultimately, it is up to African
countries to ensure that their engagement with China aligns with their development goals and
promotes the well-being of their citizens.
References:

1. Alden, C. and Large, D. (2018). China's Second Continent: How a Million Migrants are
Building a New Empire in Africa. New York: Knopf.

2. Barnett, M. and Finnemore, M. (2004). Rules for the World: International Organizations
in Global Politics. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.

3. Bradley, D., Chen, Z., Naughton, B. and Yang, D. (2019). "China’s Lending to
Developing Countries: A New Dataset." Journal of Chinese Economic and Business
Studies, 17(3), pp. 195-209.

4. Chen, Z., Naughton, B., Yang, D. and Zhang, Y. (2018). "The Belt and Road Initiative: A
Chinese World Order." Asia & the Pacific Policy Studies, 5(1), pp. 1-14.

5. Fauré, E. (2015). "China-Africa: A New Era in Trade and Investment Relations." African
Development Review, 27(1), pp. 1-11.

6. Grieco, J. and Taylor, M. (2011). "China-Africa Relations: An Overview." African

Studies Review, 54(2), pp. 1-18.

7. Jacobs, D. and Sautman, B. (2006). "China in Africa: A Triangular Relationship." Journal

of Modern African Studies, 44(4), pp. 529-550.

8. Ngwainmbi, C. (2019). "China's Investment in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges."

African Journal of Economic Review, 7(2), pp. 1-15.

9. Reno, W. (2011). "China and Africa: A New Scramble for Resources?" Review of
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