France says finding too many Chinese arms in Africa

Dec 14, 2006 (PARIS) — France’s defence minister said on Thursday too many Chinese weapons were turning up in Africa, at a time when the Asian giant is forging alliances with many states on the world’s poorest continent.

Chinese business has piled into Africa, focusing primarily on oil, metals and other commodities sectors, and Beijing has assured African leaders it wants to develop a “win-win” relationship with the continent.

French Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie told the upper house of France’s parliament, however, that there was a more sinister side to what she said was Beijing’s effort to gain a share of mineral wealth and win political influence.

“It does not bother us that a big country comes to help Africa’s development, which needs it and it is essential, provided that it happens in clear conditions and conditions that encourage the development of democracy,” she said.

“We therefore draw its attention to the fact that too often we see Chinese arms intervening in conditions that are sometimes contrary to embargoes,” she said.

Chad, which accuses neighbour Sudan of arming Chadian rebels opposed to President Idriss Deby, in April displayed Chinese munitions it said had been captured from insurgents who raided the capital in that month.

China is a major provider of aid and investment in Sudan, especially in the growing Sudanese oil sector.

Alliot-Marie said China was now Africa’s second-biggest trade partner after France.

China has also emerged as an important source of aid and diplomatic support for countries like Sudan and Zimbabwe which the West strongly criticises for human rights violations.

Beijing is among the new breed of fast-growing powers that have come under fire at international meetings for lending money to impoverished nations in Africa at market rates, even as rich countries have been cancelling debt they are owed.

(Reuters)