Recap: The China-Africa Debate [Video]

China’s engagement with Africa has made the headlines in recent times as more African countries turn East for financial and technical assistance with business and development. There is increased commodity trade between the two, and last year, China surpassed the US as Africa’s largest trade partner with trade flows equaling an estimated US $200 billion.

Many African governments have expressed their support for the so-called Chinese model which they regard as being more rooted in partnership than in the traditional donor-beneficiary relationship that characterizes foreign assistance from the West. However, critics have warned that China's engagement reeks of "neo-colonialism" and have denounced China’s poor record of human rights and environmental protection.

Despite the increased economic engagement between China and African governments, the level of dialogue at the grassroots and amongst citizens has been at a minimum. Chinese and Africans regard each another with curiosity, anticipation, and some would say, skepticism. This lack of interaction and understanding has spurred a number of violent incidents between the two communities in African countries like Zambia and, more recently, in Ghana where over 100 Chinese nationals involved in illegal mining were arrested.

What’s the history behind China-Africa relations and how is the current engagement being approached by both parties?
What do African and Chinese citizens think about China’s increased engagement on the continent?
How can dialogue and mutual understanding be fostered between Chinese and Africans?
Is the media painting a balanced and accurate picture of China-Africa relations? Is it overly optimistic?
What are some of the opportunities and challenges with China-Africa relations and how can the relationship be enhanced for mutual benefit?
Should development & poverty reduction be the cornerstones of China-Africa relations?

These questions and others were explored by our panelists on Thursday June 20, 2013 during “The China-Africa Debate” G+ Hangout hosted by BloggingGhana. Below is a YouTube recording of the entire hangout. You can also read a tweet recap here.

Panelists:

I recommend following their Twiiter accounts/websites for updates on China-Africa relations.

Kwabena Akuamoah-Boateng (Ghana) – Blogger and specialist in Sino-Africa socio-economic relations. Twitter: @Kwabena. URL:http://kwabena.me

Jinghao Lu (China, South Africa) – Researcher, China-Africa Analyst working in South Africa. Twitter:@JinghaoLu . URL: http://china-africa-jinghao.blogspot.com

Winslow Robertson (US) – Historian, specialist in Sino-Africa relations, founder of Sino-Africa DC group. Twitter:@Winslow_R. URL: http://cowriesrice.blogspot.com

Nkemijika E. Kalu (Nigeria) – Ph.D at , researcher and specialist on African agency and motivations in engaging with China.

Kobbie Boafo-Nartey (Ghana) – DJ/Photographer, start up entrepreneur, Concept developer for infrastructure & trade in Africa. Twitter:@djkobbie URL: bbi-ghana.com

Alexander Demissie (Ethiopia) – PHD Candidate on China-Ethiopia Relations, Co-Founder of ChinaAfricaBlog.com, Twitter:@chinaafricablog

Hongxiang Huang (China) – Freelance Journalist focused on Chinese investment in South America & Africa, Founder, China-South Dialogue. URL: chinagoingout.org

Moderator:
-------------

Jemila Abdulai (Ghana) – Blogger & Online Journalist, Communications & International Development specialist focused on Africa .Twitter:@jabdulai URL: Circumspecte.com

World Water Day: Water - Ghana's "Forgotten Oil"

NB: This post is part of a GhanaBlogging event to commemorate World Water Day (March 22) -- The word floating around in Ghanaian circles these days is oil. Since 'the great find' the hopes of numerous Ghanaians have been buoyed and politicians are having quite the field day using the 'expected oil revenues' as bargaining chips for one thing or the other. I don't share in that optimism, hence my delay in writing about Ghana's "oil miracle". Instead, I'm focused on another precious resource, one that has unfortunately become more of a commodity than a right. Water. Science tells us that water and oil don't mesh together. They just don't. But if what the analysts are saying is correct, the two might have more in common than we think. At the rate things are going, water is becoming increasingly scarce. So much to the point where it's expected that water could be the next oil : a precious element in the hands of few. Unless Ghana realign...

Lifestylz GH Interview: Sangu Delle

As part of Lifestylz GH’s interview series, we bring you our premier interview with Sangu Delle. Profile: Sangu Delle Sangu Delle is a senior at Harvard University. He was born and raised in Ghana, and is the youngest of five children in a bi-religious family (his father is Catholic while his mum is Muslim). He attended Christ the King Catholic School (CTK) and went on to study at the Ghana International School (GIS) until his O-Levels when he transferred to the Peddie School (a college preparatory school in NJ) on scholarship. His areas of concentration in academics are Economics and African studies, with a particular focus on development. Aspirations To be involved in the development of Ghana and Africa at large in some capacity. In the past, he was more involved in non-profit and development work, but has increasingly become active in entrepreneurial and business ventures; a testament to his belief that there should be “less foundations and more entrepreneurs” in Africa. In his own ...

Circum-Alert: Taking Accra By Storm, Chale Wote Style!

A free urban arts festival, the Chale Wote Street Art Festival could soon be the in-thing on the GH street arts scene. Co-sponsored by ACCRA [dot] ALT , The French Embassy (in Ghana) and Institut Francais, the first edition of the soon-to-be annual international festival will take place on July 16, 2011 in the Jamestown community of downtown Accra from 10am till 10pm. The event is the brainchild of Mantse Aryeequaye (an independent filmmaker) and Dr. Sionne Neely (a researcher and writer); both coordinators of ACCRA [dot] ALT. In the words of the organizers, its purpose is “to promote the exhibition of alternative art in Ghana and to nurture an appreciation for different kinds of art among Ghanaians.” The first time I read about the Chale Wote Street Art Festival, I thought: interesting name. The second time around during GhanaBlogging ’s July meetup over the weekend, I got a peek at the schedule of events and thought, interesting concept/project! Now, after some m...

Circumspecte

Search This Blog