| Published on: | 2011-02-16 17:15:50 |
Part of China's current growth is due to its increasing openness towards the rest of the world. The Oriental country knows the value of this and is taking care of its international relations, from its close neighbours to others continents.
With this in mind, Chinese Foreign Minister, Yang Jiechi, is currently doing a five-nation tour of Africa, which started last Thursday in Zimbabwe.
“China’s relations with Africa are based on sincere friendship and equal treatment and China is more and more welcome in the continent. All African countries are ready to deepen traditional friendship, develop cooperation in all areas and strengthen coordination in international affairs with China,” said Zimbabwean President Robert Gabriel Mugabe yesterday.
Mr Yang also described Zimbawe as a "good brother" to China: "The relationship is in very good shape.”
It has been reported that China has agreed a $10bn (£6bn) trade deal with Zimbabwe. However, there is distrust of this sign of generosity in some parts.
“China's interests in Africa is a hot topic. One of the biggest problems is that a lot of world markets are restricted to China,” explained Dr Damian Tobin, Lecturer in Chinese Business and Management at the Centre for Finance and Management Studies at SOAS in the University of London, who spoke exclusively to The Fresh Outlook.
In his opinion, since major world companies don't exchange goods with the Oriental country, then: “This leaves China with very little choice.”
Others claim that China wants to take advantage of Zimbawe's rich natural resources. Figures from the National Statistics Agency suggest China exported $159m (£99m) worth of goods to Zimbabwe last year.
“Some sources agree about China using African resources but, is it different from what the west have done before?” questioned Dr Tobin.
He concluded: “Chinese companies are more successful in Africa." Indeed, this is a trend that has been can be seen throughout the last decade.
North Korea: A good neighbour
Kim Yong Nam, President of the North Korean Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, has met with the Chinese Minister of Public Security, Meng Jianzhu.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) described this meeting as a “friendly talk” and stated that: “Meng said that the Sino-DPRK friendly relations sealed in blood are fraternal and comradely.”
Mr Meng also backed North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's plans to hand power to his son, hailing the "successful solution" to allow continued socialist rule, the KCNA reported.
In Dr Tobin's opinion, the aim of building a positive relationship with North Korea differs greatly from Africa-China relations: “This is far more regional, it's about regional stability and borders,” he said.
As reported by the EFE news agency, Mr Meng passed on regards from Chinese President Hu jintao and other Chinese officers, in a bid to further strengthen the relationship between China and North Korea.
By Eva Fernandez
[Image courtesy of Wikimedia]
With this in mind, Chinese Foreign Minister, Yang Jiechi, is currently doing a five-nation tour of Africa, which started last Thursday in Zimbabwe.
“China’s relations with Africa are based on sincere friendship and equal treatment and China is more and more welcome in the continent. All African countries are ready to deepen traditional friendship, develop cooperation in all areas and strengthen coordination in international affairs with China,” said Zimbabwean President Robert Gabriel Mugabe yesterday.
Mr Yang also described Zimbawe as a "good brother" to China: "The relationship is in very good shape.”
It has been reported that China has agreed a $10bn (£6bn) trade deal with Zimbabwe. However, there is distrust of this sign of generosity in some parts.
“China's interests in Africa is a hot topic. One of the biggest problems is that a lot of world markets are restricted to China,” explained Dr Damian Tobin, Lecturer in Chinese Business and Management at the Centre for Finance and Management Studies at SOAS in the University of London, who spoke exclusively to The Fresh Outlook.
In his opinion, since major world companies don't exchange goods with the Oriental country, then: “This leaves China with very little choice.”
Others claim that China wants to take advantage of Zimbawe's rich natural resources. Figures from the National Statistics Agency suggest China exported $159m (£99m) worth of goods to Zimbabwe last year.
“Some sources agree about China using African resources but, is it different from what the west have done before?” questioned Dr Tobin.
He concluded: “Chinese companies are more successful in Africa." Indeed, this is a trend that has been can be seen throughout the last decade.
North Korea: A good neighbour
Kim Yong Nam, President of the North Korean Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, has met with the Chinese Minister of Public Security, Meng Jianzhu.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) described this meeting as a “friendly talk” and stated that: “Meng said that the Sino-DPRK friendly relations sealed in blood are fraternal and comradely.”
Mr Meng also backed North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's plans to hand power to his son, hailing the "successful solution" to allow continued socialist rule, the KCNA reported.
In Dr Tobin's opinion, the aim of building a positive relationship with North Korea differs greatly from Africa-China relations: “This is far more regional, it's about regional stability and borders,” he said.
As reported by the EFE news agency, Mr Meng passed on regards from Chinese President Hu jintao and other Chinese officers, in a bid to further strengthen the relationship between China and North Korea.
By Eva Fernandez
[Image courtesy of Wikimedia]
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