China interference and influence in Sudan

By Steve Paterno

March 30, 2009 — China’s engagements in the African continent have been an instrument of controversies; within the countries it’s involved in, the major cause of concern for the Western World, and the source of hope for some. When the Western Capitalist World and the Soviet Union were fighting over influence in Africa during the Cold War, China was playing an insignificantly minor, but yet strategic role in laying its firm foundation in the continent—presenting itself as an equally vulnerable victim of the imperialism. In other words, China could identify with Africa in many ways.
However, in the post Cold War era, all the above changed with China permanently expanding its influence deep into the continent. China views Africa as a place to exploit its resources, gain access to the vast market and an opportunity to increase its diplomatic clout. Though a developing country, China is the fastest growing economy in the world. With the void left by the Western companies and high risk associated with investment in Africa, China dived in to fill-up the vacuum. Beijing is hardly hesitant from risky investments as an alternative source in addition to promoting a different business model from the customary Western model Africa is used to. According to recent reports, “trade between Africa and China grew to more than $100 billion by 2008, from less than $10 million in the 1980s.” The growth has surpassed the US trade with Africa, which were just more than 81.7 by 2008. China shows significant investments in the sectors of infrastructure, energy, mining and agriculture. Chinese made goods and commodities are floating African market at the expense of African local products. The commonly popular phrase depicting Chinese products in Africa is “from head to toe,” an illustration that all things dressed-on are Chinese made; describes anything worn on the head, in and between, and all the way to the footwear.

Engaging in such huge magnitude in Africa, China can hardly go unchallenged and without hurdles. The current global financial crisis may certainly put into halt Chinese dominance and further expansion throughout the continent. Reports are already indicating that Chinese investment in Africa is dropping as China begins to back away from some of its business deals, especially the riskiest investments. The African countries, which once believe that they don’t need the West anymore because China was willing to fill the space as an alternative risk taker, now have no choice, but to turn for the West for help. This in turn will provide openings for Western companies to have competitive playing level fields in edging the Chinese for better bargains with the Africans. Even more challenging to the Chinese is that its dominance will in a long run result into backlash, where China will face widespread resentments from the African masses. Thus far, there is increasing suspicions against the Chinese presence in the continent by the general population as they are viewed to be exploitative with their salient activities that are prone to aide dictators, ignore human rights abuses and involve in environmental degradation. In other places, Chinese businesses suffer mob raids and looting while their people become subjects of kidnappings for ransoms. This trend can only increase if some drastic measures in the way Chinese operate are not taken into considerations.

As of last week, the departments of African and China Studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C. convened a conference to address the impacts of Sino-African relationships and the potential future of such relationships. The conference brought together some of the best experts and minds in field of African, China, economic, and energy studies. Not surprisingly, China relationship with the brutal regime of internationally indicted President Omar al-Bashir in Khartoum dominated the discussions. China’s investment in Sudan is substantial, particularly in energy sector. China pumps more oil from Sudan than from any other country with exception of Kazakhstan. More than 60% of Sudanese oil output is purchased by China, accounting for more than 6% of Chinese imported oil. This is considering that China is 50% dependent on its energy consumption from outside, and about 80% of Khartoum’s revenue comes from oil. The Chinese state-owned oil company, China National Petroleum (CNPC) is the largest investor in the Khartoum’s Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company through its 40% stakes. The company’s asset in the country is valued at more than 7 billion.

If anything, China deal with Khartoum is the best example of China’s negative influence in its engagements in the African continent. China’s relationship with Khartoum exposes and debunks the myth of the core element of Chinese foreign policy of ‘noninterference.’ The mere presence of Chinese in Khartoum is by implication a sign of China siding with Khartoum in the many conflicts that the regime is facing against significant portions of the country’s population. China is among the countries supplying Khartoum with weapons that helps fuel the conflicts, which are responsible for much of the atrocities and genocide committed by Khartoum regime against Sudanese population. For years now, China is a target of criticism by human rights for its role in fueling the conflicts in Sudan through its supply of weapons. Using its international diplomatic clout, China shields Khartoum for all its poor human rights records. As a permanent member at the United Nation Security Council, China has been the voice of Khartoum at the UN throughout.

The infrastructure developments built in Sudan on behalf of Khartoum by China are not in the interest of general population of Sudan. The building of railways, roads, and airports may contribute into development in other countries, but in Sudan, they are detrimental to the masses as they are used by Khartoum military to effectively and quickly exterminate the populations Khartoum regime deemed worthless, such as those in South Sudan, Nuba Mountains, Blue Nile, Eastern Sudan, and Darfur region. Providing such nice infrastructures to the despotic regime in Khartoum is worse than issuing pilot licenses for commercial jets to the aircraft hijackers.

Other examples of those worthless infrastructure developments at the human cost are the building of unnecessary dams along the River Nile by Khartoum regime supported by Chinese finance and companies. These developments already resulted into death, displacements and potential long term environmental risks. Several armed groups are already springing up in the affected regions to resist the building of these dams. This will further lead into more armed violent and instability in the country. The billions of dollars that China pumps into the Sudanese economy do not in any way trickle down, but help exacerbate the problems.
Therefore, China must first acknowledge its irresponsibility in Sudan and must begin to exert positive influence. There is nothing such as “win-win” in dealing with a regime in Khartoum, which its actions are responsible for all the instabilities in the country. China must act within its powers in concert with the general population of Sudan and the rest of the international community to achieve what the Sudanese people wants most, which are peace, stability and prosperity. There is a lot of outcry for China to do more in the pacification effort in Sudan and China must heed to the warnings. A condition of “win-win” can only be created within a peaceful atmosphere in the entire Sudan. It is only then that all will win and the “win-win” slogan will make sense.

Steve Paterno is the author of The Rev. Fr. Saturnino Lohure, A Romain Catholic Priest Turned Rebel. He can be reached at [email protected]