Socialist Party President Fred M’membe has said that the United States government has begun to suppress and discredit China as China’s influence in Africa grows, labelling China as a threat to democracy, with Western public opinion continuing to stigmatize China-Africa cooperation.
In a statement posted on his social media account, Dr M’embe said that Africa’s international attention has grown significantly recently, in part due to the successful China-Africa cooperation.
Dr M’Membe said that since the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in October 2000, China has supported Africa addressing problems that have severely restricted economic development, including inadequate infrastructure and shortage of funds, adding that China has undeniably become a driving force in Africa’s development.
Dr M’membe also said that over the last twenty years, the scope of China’s duty-free access to African products expanded considerably from 3.82 per cent to 16.13 per cent.
Dr M’membe said that Chinese companies have built 10,000 kilometres of roads, 6,000 kilometres of railroads, 30 ports, 20 airports, and 80 power stations on the continent in ten years (2008-2018). Furthermore, China has provided aid to Africa in areas such as debt relief, human resource training, and dispatching of medical and agricultural experts.
“The number of Africans trained in these cooperation projects have increased from 7,000 to 50,000 people between 2000 and 2018, totaling 172,000 people.
“Adhering to its core principles, China’s aid is provided without political conditionality and interference in the internal affairs of receiving countries, Dr M’membe wrote.
Dr M’membe also said that the Covid-19 pandemic has also impacted African economies and this cooperation.
“At the same time, against the backdrop of significant global challenges, it is important to actively plan post-pandemic cooperation and build a community of common destiny for China and African countries,” Dr M’membe concluded.
We’re to blame for allowing foreign powers to choose for us which path to follow. The Chinese don’t hide it that they don’t believe in democracy. The USA hides but are busy finding a way of making it impossibble for certain groups to exercise their rights to vote.
Mr.M’membe, good for highlighting something that is already known. From the article, I can HARDLY find any form of your suggestions, on how African should reac or respond to this US labelled “threat to democracy”, neither is there any suggestion, how Africa or Zambia should continue to treat China.
The information you are providing is easily available online, what we are expecting from leaders like you are solutions, and that can be in a form of calling up a conference with such a theme and inviting the brightest heads that we have in Zambia, and debate on the form of solution and you can then present that to GRZ as your recommendations. That is the kind of opposition we need, and not running to LT all the time.
During the Cold War we had to choose between American and USSR, we chose the latter and the consequences were a dictatorship for government and an economy on life support. It’s yes to investment from China but no to authoritarianism.
It is not PUBLIC opinion. The Western public would not care less what China is doing in the Dark continent they know nothing about. It is the Media, both in Africa and in the West as well as Africans themselves. Your friend Michael Sata rose to power by lying to the Zambian people that he will ‘chase the Chinese.’
Uncle Fred forgets to mention that a number of countries – including Zambia – has been indebted by China under stringent collateral conditions. Meaning that if a country defaults on any debt repayment, it looses a substantial resource in the country. Sri Lanka lost a major seaport and Zambia will loose Zesco. Is that really good news Fred? I don’t think so
Good article, even though this is entirely not new. The west has always rubbished what the east stands for. It is true however, that Africa must be in a position to choose her own real developmental friends based on mutual respect and her own understanding. No one has the right to choose for us who we marry or who we do not. The west has failed Africa after having raped her resources and now are unashamedly continuing to medle in Africa’s internal issues. Shame on you.
@4, you are RIGHT. Mmembe has come to know that HH is pro Western. China’s intentions are to POSSES AFRICA’S LAND and DISPLACE the indegineous people. CHINESE ALWAYS GETTING LAND and in 100yrs from now ALL OF US WE WILL BE RENTING to Chinese. My PRESIDENT is too intelligent and he has given a cold shoulder to the CHINESE.
From Kabangwe to Chibombo Chinese have bought all the Land. HH wants this land to be owned by ZAMBIANS.
“….Adhering to its core principles, China’s aid is provided without political conditionality and interference in the internal affairs of receiving countries, Dr M’membe wrote….”
That is the problem with China………
Corrupt brutal dictators and wannabe dictators like lungu love the Chinese…….
Because there are no questions asked about their corruption and brutality as long as China has access to the countries wealth………..
Time to cash in on China. A fundraising attempt.
Honorable Dr Mmembe. Are you aware of the Christian and Muslim persecution in China? Can China really be trusted as a dominant player in the world?
Do you have any concerns about China’s human rights record?
Indeed some statements are in fact alarmist. For example lies that China intends to take over some countries or major assets like airports and power utilities of loan defaulting countries are mere propaganda. The West has always used propaganda to drive their agenda. Where are Saddam’s Weapons of Mass Destruction? Iran managed to contain covid-19 on its own and African countries can learn from its scientists. Ayatollah Khamenei had instructed his people to share their formula free of charge. Was Gaddafi really dangerous? So we must not pay attention to their propaganda
Indeed the war for influence of the developing countries is in full gear between the USA and China………..
The west is waking up a bit late to china’s use of development for influence and have now to put their money where their mouths are to compete with China……..
However because incumbent presidnts , usually not adverse to free and fair elections fully relay on China for survival……..this is the weak link in china’s hold on those countries who’s people are aspiring for a free and fair democratic society……….
The west is exploiting this by supporting free and fair elections knowing this pits the people indirectly against China…….
People power usually wins…….
We are definitely better off working with the Chinese because they bring meaningful development if manage them properly, the West just care about themselves and come back with small AID
Yeah, i agree fund sourcing Cuba is not doing much for the socialist party.
Mr.Membe, communism or socialism does not work. It has never worked – CHINA, RUSSIA ETC ARE NO LONGER SOCIALIST STATE BUT HAVE A CAPITALIST MOTTO WITH A STRICT CONTROL OVER HUMAN BEINGS.
Whether CHINA OR RUSSIA OR THE STATES THEY ARE ALL THE SAME – WE JUST HAVE TO GET THE BST AVAILABLE AND CONTROL WHAT WE DO