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China's Second Continent: How a Million Migrants Are Building a New Empire in Africa
[ China's Second How a Million Migrants Are Building a New Empire in Africa French, Howard W. ( Author ) ] Hardcover 2014
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 20, 2014
217 people are currently reading
4160 people want to read
About the author
Howard W. French
10 books168 followersHoward W. French is an associate professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, where he has taught both journalism and photography since 2008. For many years, he was a Senior Writer for The New York Times, where he spent most of a nearly 23 year career as a foreign correspondent, working in and traveling to over 100 countries on five continents.
From 1979 to 1986, he lived in West Africa, where he worked as a translator, taught English literature at the University of Ivory Coast, and lived as a freelance reporter.
Until July 2008, he was the chief of the newspaper’s Shanghai bureau. Prior to this assignment, he headed bureaus in Japan, West and Central Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. Mr. French’s work for the newspaper in both Africa and in China has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. He has won numerous other awards, including the Overseas Press Club award and the Grantham Prize. French speaks English, Chinese, Japanese, French, and Spanish.
From 1979 to 1986, he lived in West Africa, where he worked as a translator, taught English literature at the University of Ivory Coast, and lived as a freelance reporter.
Until July 2008, he was the chief of the newspaper’s Shanghai bureau. Prior to this assignment, he headed bureaus in Japan, West and Central Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. Mr. French’s work for the newspaper in both Africa and in China has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. He has won numerous other awards, including the Overseas Press Club award and the Grantham Prize. French speaks English, Chinese, Japanese, French, and Spanish.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 242 reviews
May 18, 2018
While the writing style and info given here are superb (+5 stars!), the thinking style is very biased. The author should try and be less critical of the people less fortunate than himself, in terms of life line, of education, languages and everything else.
Yes, callousness to Mr Hao docks a star (-1 star).
And what is it with the West and building empires? Yes, not only West is allowed to build empires. China is allowed to do as well, especially considering that they are not doing what was being done to African population by the slave traders. Somehow, the Western businesses are not crowding to hand back their profits made by slave trade and related indeavours, which allowed them to build their capitals and promote the industrialization to get where they are today. China is funding a lot more in Africa than any of them... and in gets villainized for the effort. A double whammy, if there ever is one!
Yes, for the empire scare I dock another star (-1 star!).
Another thing is I disliked how biased the author was on rioting in Africa. Basically, I happened to be reading this book in parallel with another one on a similar topic, a more well-rounded one, in my opinion, AND the 2 authors were describing one and the same riot. In this book, the Chinese obviously were very guilty that they were attacked and shot several attackers, in another book, we see an uncolored version of theese same events. While I don't blame any of the sides of this particular situation, I would have liked the author to be thinking not in terms 'Chinese - bad or very bad?' It diminishes this book's value. A lot.
Yes, callousness to Mr Hao docks a star (-1 star).
And what is it with the West and building empires? Yes, not only West is allowed to build empires. China is allowed to do as well, especially considering that they are not doing what was being done to African population by the slave traders. Somehow, the Western businesses are not crowding to hand back their profits made by slave trade and related indeavours, which allowed them to build their capitals and promote the industrialization to get where they are today. China is funding a lot more in Africa than any of them... and in gets villainized for the effort. A double whammy, if there ever is one!
Yes, for the empire scare I dock another star (-1 star!).
Another thing is I disliked how biased the author was on rioting in Africa. Basically, I happened to be reading this book in parallel with another one on a similar topic, a more well-rounded one, in my opinion, AND the 2 authors were describing one and the same riot. In this book, the Chinese obviously were very guilty that they were attacked and shot several attackers, in another book, we see an uncolored version of theese same events. While I don't blame any of the sides of this particular situation, I would have liked the author to be thinking not in terms 'Chinese - bad or very bad?' It diminishes this book's value. A lot.
October 3, 2014
Page 157-58 my book
“Chinese people are just about everywhere,” Shuai Yuhua said, again erupting in laughter. “You should never go anywhere where there are no Chinese.”
“Is that because such places are too dangerous?” I asked.
“Wrong. It’s because those are places where it is impossible to make money.”
This is a fascinating account of China’s impact on Africa. It is a recent phenomenon and I do feel the full repercussions will be upon us sooner than we think. China is not just the future world power, in many ways it is currently the most dynamic power of our time – at least economically. They are now exporting their remarkable “can do” to Africa.
There are many aspects the author examines. And he is quite capable - speaking in English, French and Mandarin.
One aspect is that all kinds of businesses are being set-up by the Chinese – from small by the side of the road stalls (similar to what we see in China-towns across North America) to vast enterprises like soccer stadiums, hydro-electric plants and the like.
There are many candid conversations with both Africans and Chinese. Many Africans appreciate the level of expertise and technology that the Chinese are bringing. They do not appreciate that the Chinese are bringing their own labour, they do not disclose the work to be done with its environmental effects, the wages the Africans receive are often below the minimum wage set by the government, and often no health regulations are followed, in mine-work for example.
The Chinese appreciate the opportunities they are presented with in Africa. Competition, stress, overcrowding is fierce in China – so, many, find in Africa, a land of opportunity. I could not help but feel, just as there is corruption in business deals in China; these same practises were easily transplanted to Africa.
The author points out that in African countries where the natural resources are abundant, is where greater disparity exists between rich and poor. The Chinese entrepreneurs simply give huge bribes to those in power to get their business established. The wealth does not trickle down, it stays and accumulates at the top.
The author discusses how the Chinese are similar and dissimilar to former colonial powers. The Chinese are now intent on hard structural development. Western powers are geared more towards soft development such as containment of AIDS. Obviously, as the author acknowledges, this is an over-generalization.
There are suppose to be at least one million Chinese now in Africa, and this is a conservative estimate. And more are coming. Think of that – a European country, or even the U.S., could not come close to having a million people who would choose to emigrate to Africa. China could easily find another one million to go. The Chinese currently in Africa are urging their family and friends to come over. Many of the Chinese the author interviewed are in Africa for keeps.
The significance of this will continue to grow for years to come. This is an engrossing book on a topic that we in the West are barely aware of.
“Chinese people are just about everywhere,” Shuai Yuhua said, again erupting in laughter. “You should never go anywhere where there are no Chinese.”
“Is that because such places are too dangerous?” I asked.
“Wrong. It’s because those are places where it is impossible to make money.”
This is a fascinating account of China’s impact on Africa. It is a recent phenomenon and I do feel the full repercussions will be upon us sooner than we think. China is not just the future world power, in many ways it is currently the most dynamic power of our time – at least economically. They are now exporting their remarkable “can do” to Africa.
There are many aspects the author examines. And he is quite capable - speaking in English, French and Mandarin.
One aspect is that all kinds of businesses are being set-up by the Chinese – from small by the side of the road stalls (similar to what we see in China-towns across North America) to vast enterprises like soccer stadiums, hydro-electric plants and the like.
There are many candid conversations with both Africans and Chinese. Many Africans appreciate the level of expertise and technology that the Chinese are bringing. They do not appreciate that the Chinese are bringing their own labour, they do not disclose the work to be done with its environmental effects, the wages the Africans receive are often below the minimum wage set by the government, and often no health regulations are followed, in mine-work for example.
The Chinese appreciate the opportunities they are presented with in Africa. Competition, stress, overcrowding is fierce in China – so, many, find in Africa, a land of opportunity. I could not help but feel, just as there is corruption in business deals in China; these same practises were easily transplanted to Africa.
The author points out that in African countries where the natural resources are abundant, is where greater disparity exists between rich and poor. The Chinese entrepreneurs simply give huge bribes to those in power to get their business established. The wealth does not trickle down, it stays and accumulates at the top.
The author discusses how the Chinese are similar and dissimilar to former colonial powers. The Chinese are now intent on hard structural development. Western powers are geared more towards soft development such as containment of AIDS. Obviously, as the author acknowledges, this is an over-generalization.
There are suppose to be at least one million Chinese now in Africa, and this is a conservative estimate. And more are coming. Think of that – a European country, or even the U.S., could not come close to having a million people who would choose to emigrate to Africa. China could easily find another one million to go. The Chinese currently in Africa are urging their family and friends to come over. Many of the Chinese the author interviewed are in Africa for keeps.
The significance of this will continue to grow for years to come. This is an engrossing book on a topic that we in the West are barely aware of.
February 11, 2021
Reading this book was not easy, definitely one of my toughest reads ever. I'll start with the good and end with the terrible.
The Good: The stories of migrants succeeding in Africa; the same Africa people (especially Africans) believe has no hope. It's very indicting to read; people succeeding in the same place others have lost hope. It gave me a renewed appreciation of how important an individual's mindset and orientation are, even above education. Howard French describes how foreign immigrants speak of the continent in "near awe as a place of almost unlimited opportunity". You gotta respect grit and enterprise.
The Bad: The book makes a subtle distinction between the activities of migrants/immigrants - many who are fleeing their countries and cultures, and foreign governments - who seek to acquire key sectors and resources in a bid for global dominance. Reading about the activities of foreign governments from China to France made me fear for the future of Africa.
The Terrible: Africans and African leaders selling away key resources and infrastructure to foreign governments that are entirely out for their own interests. Negotiating lopsided deals and further impoverishing their people, all in pursuit of personal wealth. You would think we'd have learned from history, selling our people and continent for mirrors and dry gin, but no, in the 21st century, we are back at it again, for Mercedes-Benz cars and expensive trips. We need to do better.
The Good: The stories of migrants succeeding in Africa; the same Africa people (especially Africans) believe has no hope. It's very indicting to read; people succeeding in the same place others have lost hope. It gave me a renewed appreciation of how important an individual's mindset and orientation are, even above education. Howard French describes how foreign immigrants speak of the continent in "near awe as a place of almost unlimited opportunity". You gotta respect grit and enterprise.
The Bad: The book makes a subtle distinction between the activities of migrants/immigrants - many who are fleeing their countries and cultures, and foreign governments - who seek to acquire key sectors and resources in a bid for global dominance. Reading about the activities of foreign governments from China to France made me fear for the future of Africa.
The Terrible: Africans and African leaders selling away key resources and infrastructure to foreign governments that are entirely out for their own interests. Negotiating lopsided deals and further impoverishing their people, all in pursuit of personal wealth. You would think we'd have learned from history, selling our people and continent for mirrors and dry gin, but no, in the 21st century, we are back at it again, for Mercedes-Benz cars and expensive trips. We need to do better.
July 3, 2017
It's clear that Mr. French is incredibly well situated to chart China's growing influence in Africa, since he must be one of the few people on earth who has the chops -- the language skills, the patience, and the personal history (having lived in both China and Africa for many years) -- to do so in a balanced and informed way. I was excited to read this book, mostly because it promised to investigate the lives and effects of Chinese migrants operating outside of any official state-sponsored master plan. In Liberia, for example, Chinese hotelier Li Jiong tells the author he should forget about meeting with a group of official Chinese agricultural trainers: "What the hell do you want to visit those people in Gbarnga for? You realize they're different from people like us, don't you? They are government people. They haven't come here on their own. The reason they are willing to meet you and show you around their school is to make propaganda." These kinds of candid conversations are the best parts of the book, but the rest of it often reads like a shaggy dog travelogue, too rambling and impressionistic for my tastes. French wraps up his account with an epilogue whose trim elegance I wish had been more present in the previous two hundred fifty pages. Overall: a fascinating topic, but a somewhat disappointing read.
July 8, 2014
I had been looking forward to this book since i meet the author in Shanghai a few years back, perhaps my high expectations and preconceived ideas of what this book would look like is the cause of my disappointment. I had the perception that the intention was to write an account of the Chinese migrants experiences, instead the book is a personal travelogue attempting to provide analysis on the theme based on a string of analogies.
No doubt the author has enjoyed quite an adventure writing this book and there are interesting experiences being told. However, the book is a story of the author' travels and encounters with Chinese people as opposed to telling the stories of Chinese who moved to Africa. ¨
Other parts of the book consists of analysis on the subject of Chinese migration to Africa, but anecdotal stories nearly always provide a poor source of information to draw wider observations from, which some factual errors in the book confirm. I understand the need to tie the various stories together by making some general observations and providing a contextual backdrop for the stories, however the book stretches beyond its capacity.
Overall I felt as if the book didn't really know what chair to sit on: a collection of personal stories of the struggles and successes of Chinese migrants would make for a fascinating read on its own and provide insights on an individual level; while a book stretching further into deeper observations require a more systematic research approach which is beyond the scope of this book. This book falls somewhere in between these two, not fully achieving either.
The author does nonetheless collect a bunch of highly interesting encounters which makes the book worth a read, but I often found myself skipping passages to get to these parts.
No doubt the author has enjoyed quite an adventure writing this book and there are interesting experiences being told. However, the book is a story of the author' travels and encounters with Chinese people as opposed to telling the stories of Chinese who moved to Africa. ¨
Other parts of the book consists of analysis on the subject of Chinese migration to Africa, but anecdotal stories nearly always provide a poor source of information to draw wider observations from, which some factual errors in the book confirm. I understand the need to tie the various stories together by making some general observations and providing a contextual backdrop for the stories, however the book stretches beyond its capacity.
Overall I felt as if the book didn't really know what chair to sit on: a collection of personal stories of the struggles and successes of Chinese migrants would make for a fascinating read on its own and provide insights on an individual level; while a book stretching further into deeper observations require a more systematic research approach which is beyond the scope of this book. This book falls somewhere in between these two, not fully achieving either.
The author does nonetheless collect a bunch of highly interesting encounters which makes the book worth a read, but I often found myself skipping passages to get to these parts.
August 17, 2015
This is a grumpy cynic’s vacation journal, not an in-depth investigation of China’s involvement in Africa.
The book is a series of travelogue anecdotes and brief summaries of interviews with business people and politicians in various African countries. The author spent a great deal of time describing his hotel rooms, route, and African roads, but he didn’t bother with any academic studies. He wrote about who he knows and how things have changed since the last time he visited each place, but didn't share many personal insights or interesting analysis of what he saw.
The opening and closing sections of the book were the best parts because they briefly escaped the microscopic focus of the rest of it. I was am still interested in the subject described by the title of this book, and I'm confident the author could teach me a lot about it. Sadly, in this book he didn't.
The book is a series of travelogue anecdotes and brief summaries of interviews with business people and politicians in various African countries. The author spent a great deal of time describing his hotel rooms, route, and African roads, but he didn’t bother with any academic studies. He wrote about who he knows and how things have changed since the last time he visited each place, but didn't share many personal insights or interesting analysis of what he saw.
The opening and closing sections of the book were the best parts because they briefly escaped the microscopic focus of the rest of it. I was am still interested in the subject described by the title of this book, and I'm confident the author could teach me a lot about it. Sadly, in this book he didn't.
August 20, 2021
The idea behind this book is very appealing: listening to Chinese immigrants in a dozen of different African countries. The author is well placed to undertake this: having extensively worked in both Africa and China, and speaking Chinese fluently, French is able to gain the trust of Chinese migrants and gather insightful testimonies.
On the other hand, the book is sometimes a bit too voyeuristic: reading some of the descriptions of the encounters French has I have the same feeling as with interviews of old white men stayed behind in Africa after the wave of independence. Did French really search for the most weird and colorful persons to interview? It seems a bit dangerous to draw conclusions from those marginal cases that probably do not represent the average Chinese migrant.
The book is also a bit too egocentric: it is as much about the author as it is about the subject. It would have been better if French was less prominently on the foreground in his writing.
Nevertheless, I did enjoy reading the book and learn a lot about Chinese migrants in Africa. The information is not really surprising and rather in line with my previous ideas of how China deals with Africa. Many elements touched upon by French are revealing, such as the large scale corruption, the support to the national elites, the opacity of business deals and state contracts, the abuses of worker rights, and last but not least, the enormous environmental destruction.
To French, this makes the Chinese scramble for Africa very similar to the European colonization of the continent. I wouldn't go this far, but I do agree that the Chinese approach is not creating a win-win partnership that benefits African people as its rhetoric promises.
On the other hand, the book is sometimes a bit too voyeuristic: reading some of the descriptions of the encounters French has I have the same feeling as with interviews of old white men stayed behind in Africa after the wave of independence. Did French really search for the most weird and colorful persons to interview? It seems a bit dangerous to draw conclusions from those marginal cases that probably do not represent the average Chinese migrant.
The book is also a bit too egocentric: it is as much about the author as it is about the subject. It would have been better if French was less prominently on the foreground in his writing.
Nevertheless, I did enjoy reading the book and learn a lot about Chinese migrants in Africa. The information is not really surprising and rather in line with my previous ideas of how China deals with Africa. Many elements touched upon by French are revealing, such as the large scale corruption, the support to the national elites, the opacity of business deals and state contracts, the abuses of worker rights, and last but not least, the enormous environmental destruction.
To French, this makes the Chinese scramble for Africa very similar to the European colonization of the continent. I wouldn't go this far, but I do agree that the Chinese approach is not creating a win-win partnership that benefits African people as its rhetoric promises.
February 11, 2015
French traveled thousands of miles and spoke to dozens, if not hundreds, of individuals across subsaharan Africa as background for this book. It opens with several conversations with Chinese individuals who have immigrated to Africa and are making their own way in farming, trade, and other pursuits. As the work progresses he adds many conversations with indigenous Africans, in government and NGO roles. He also tries to speak with representatives of large Chinese companies and Chinese embassies, with spotty success.
China and the Chinese do not come off well, but neither do many of Africa’s government leaders. French, however, does acknowledge that the Chinese are delivering much-needed capital and capital investment, in contrast to American talk. On the other hand, China tends to dictate what will be built and to ensure it will be built by Chinese firms with Chinese workers. French also points out that much of the work is shoddy.
French covers a broad range of investments structured in a variety of ways. In a few cases the African governments have managed agreements thoughtfully, but many of the middle class technocrats with whom he speaks lament that the deals are packages designed to export Chinese workers, put its capital to work, and to import African natural resources such as coal and timber. Few Africans find work in these projects. Government oversight is lax, so that many Chinese firms flout laws that protect the environment and employees. In some African countries the Chinese money is being used to benefit the citizens, in others it lines the pockets of those in charge. French repeatedly points out that Africa’s burgeoning population is pacing the depletion of its resources, and that if Chinese payment for the resources is not put into developing the labor force, there will be nothing to support the economy when the natural esources run out. Some countries rich farmland will remain, but one theme of the book is that even farmland is being bought up by the Chinese.
French is most interested in the scope and rapidity of Chinese immigration to Africa, which now stands at over 1 million people. These immigrants repeatedly cite the stress, competition and crowding of China as reasons for emigrating. Virtually all of them describe early privation and physical duress in their early days in Africa (Chinese ‘eating bitter’ or getting through hard times); some have made it to successful entrepreneurial status fairly rapidly, others not.
I thought that the work was very balanced, a work of real journalistic merit. Understanding what is going on in Africa is of real importance.
China and the Chinese do not come off well, but neither do many of Africa’s government leaders. French, however, does acknowledge that the Chinese are delivering much-needed capital and capital investment, in contrast to American talk. On the other hand, China tends to dictate what will be built and to ensure it will be built by Chinese firms with Chinese workers. French also points out that much of the work is shoddy.
French covers a broad range of investments structured in a variety of ways. In a few cases the African governments have managed agreements thoughtfully, but many of the middle class technocrats with whom he speaks lament that the deals are packages designed to export Chinese workers, put its capital to work, and to import African natural resources such as coal and timber. Few Africans find work in these projects. Government oversight is lax, so that many Chinese firms flout laws that protect the environment and employees. In some African countries the Chinese money is being used to benefit the citizens, in others it lines the pockets of those in charge. French repeatedly points out that Africa’s burgeoning population is pacing the depletion of its resources, and that if Chinese payment for the resources is not put into developing the labor force, there will be nothing to support the economy when the natural esources run out. Some countries rich farmland will remain, but one theme of the book is that even farmland is being bought up by the Chinese.
French is most interested in the scope and rapidity of Chinese immigration to Africa, which now stands at over 1 million people. These immigrants repeatedly cite the stress, competition and crowding of China as reasons for emigrating. Virtually all of them describe early privation and physical duress in their early days in Africa (Chinese ‘eating bitter’ or getting through hard times); some have made it to successful entrepreneurial status fairly rapidly, others not.
I thought that the work was very balanced, a work of real journalistic merit. Understanding what is going on in Africa is of real importance.
October 11, 2016
A must read book! Listen up, all you former African Missionaries, AID workers, Peace Corps Volunteers and Diplomatic corps!
Time to read about the new kid on the African playing field who is picking up the ball that we-all seem to have fumbled during the last 40 years. That kid's name is China! Author French has given us an eye-opener of a book and we need to read it and talk about what to do for the future of the planetary game.
In the same way that sixteenth century Europe financed explorers, trappers, traders and entrepreneurs to move to lesser developed parts of the world to begin farming, mining, intermarrying, exploring for new opportunities to benefit the homeland; China is sending its people out on a global diaspora that seems to be infiltrating every African nation. Farmers are being drawn in masses to the vast irrigable stretches along the Niger River in Mali to begin expanding rice production on a massive scale. Miners and engineers are moving into mineral rich nations from Namibia and Mozambique in the south through the Congo and as far as Ghana and Senegal in West Africa, and builders are setting up schools, stadiums, hospitals, roads and bridges in Zambia, Botswana, Nigeria and Upper Volta. All these countries are areas that the West only wanted to exploit but never really develop. Africans, sensing that the rest of the technological world might leave them behind have therefore turned towards a different pole of the planet.
This story, of course, is not all about lovely Chinese altruism, but rather a look at a model of development which the Chinese call win-win but, which in fact often gives the Chinese immigrants favored status in the country to do as they wish, while the African nation gets tokens of development and a lot of cash flowing into the pockets of the high officials within the country in order to keep them mollified. Does anyone out there still remember neocolonialism and imperialism? Will the Chinese become like the Portuguese or the British, or will they move beyond this initial exploitation to develop a vast commonwealth of African nations?
As one who considers himself to be somewhat of an "Old Africa Hand," I find Howard French's somewhat rambling dissertation on how China is beginning to wield its power, intriguing yet a bit disconcerting. We could be losing the whole ball of wax of the African continent's vast wealth while we piddle around trying to see if we can install democratic governments into nations so diverse that we don't even understand half their languages.
In the same way that it is a must read book, French's excellent book is also a must discuss book.
Time to read about the new kid on the African playing field who is picking up the ball that we-all seem to have fumbled during the last 40 years. That kid's name is China! Author French has given us an eye-opener of a book and we need to read it and talk about what to do for the future of the planetary game.
In the same way that sixteenth century Europe financed explorers, trappers, traders and entrepreneurs to move to lesser developed parts of the world to begin farming, mining, intermarrying, exploring for new opportunities to benefit the homeland; China is sending its people out on a global diaspora that seems to be infiltrating every African nation. Farmers are being drawn in masses to the vast irrigable stretches along the Niger River in Mali to begin expanding rice production on a massive scale. Miners and engineers are moving into mineral rich nations from Namibia and Mozambique in the south through the Congo and as far as Ghana and Senegal in West Africa, and builders are setting up schools, stadiums, hospitals, roads and bridges in Zambia, Botswana, Nigeria and Upper Volta. All these countries are areas that the West only wanted to exploit but never really develop. Africans, sensing that the rest of the technological world might leave them behind have therefore turned towards a different pole of the planet.
This story, of course, is not all about lovely Chinese altruism, but rather a look at a model of development which the Chinese call win-win but, which in fact often gives the Chinese immigrants favored status in the country to do as they wish, while the African nation gets tokens of development and a lot of cash flowing into the pockets of the high officials within the country in order to keep them mollified. Does anyone out there still remember neocolonialism and imperialism? Will the Chinese become like the Portuguese or the British, or will they move beyond this initial exploitation to develop a vast commonwealth of African nations?
As one who considers himself to be somewhat of an "Old Africa Hand," I find Howard French's somewhat rambling dissertation on how China is beginning to wield its power, intriguing yet a bit disconcerting. We could be losing the whole ball of wax of the African continent's vast wealth while we piddle around trying to see if we can install democratic governments into nations so diverse that we don't even understand half their languages.
In the same way that it is a must read book, French's excellent book is also a must discuss book.
February 8, 2016
China's Second Continent, by Howard W. French, is an interesting journalistic study of Chinese migration and economic expansion on the African continent. French is a seasoned veteran of African journalism, and covers (in no particular order) Mozambique, Zambia, Senegal, Guinea, Ghana, Liberia Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Mali and Namibia (I may have left one or two countries out). French travels around these nations, meeting Chinese migrants, entrepreneurs and government officials, as well as African's and other diplomats, as he touches on Chinese migration and the issues it has raised for Africa.
French approaches this subject from a very narrative or journalistic perspective. This gives the reader excellent anecdotal evidence of China's growing economic presence in Africa, and the trials and tribulations of those who are participating or being effected by it. French offers a balanced approach, introducing the reader to both Chinese-government controlled businesses in Africa, being built to enable long term economic ties and develop critical infrastructure, as well as the common people, who have left an increasingly crowded China to try and make it, frontier style, in Africa, whether in farming, mining, street markets or brothels.
I enjoyed this book, but was never enthralled by it. The lack of actual, concrete data is a concern for me, and I felt that the book would have been better accented by maps, charts and stats outlining China's economic influence in Africa, as opposed to solely anecdotal stories. I understand the point of this book, which is to educate the Western reader on the real mechanisms behind China's pivot to Africa, and how it harbours many shades of black, white and grey. Even so, the method used did not convey the importance to me, and left me both skeptical at the accuracy of the articles in question, and the sources used. This is a journalistic piece, so their is going to be an "agenda" or bias pushed by the author.
Even so, China's Second Continent is an interesting read for those China-watchers amongst us. It is anecdotal to be sure, but has enough to interest the average reader. French is a veteran traveler, and his ease and dedication are exuberant and slightly contagious. I really want to visit Africa now! I will give this a soft recommendation for those interested in the subject matter, but do not expect a good number of sources, facts or stats to back up much of the interview material within the book.
French approaches this subject from a very narrative or journalistic perspective. This gives the reader excellent anecdotal evidence of China's growing economic presence in Africa, and the trials and tribulations of those who are participating or being effected by it. French offers a balanced approach, introducing the reader to both Chinese-government controlled businesses in Africa, being built to enable long term economic ties and develop critical infrastructure, as well as the common people, who have left an increasingly crowded China to try and make it, frontier style, in Africa, whether in farming, mining, street markets or brothels.
I enjoyed this book, but was never enthralled by it. The lack of actual, concrete data is a concern for me, and I felt that the book would have been better accented by maps, charts and stats outlining China's economic influence in Africa, as opposed to solely anecdotal stories. I understand the point of this book, which is to educate the Western reader on the real mechanisms behind China's pivot to Africa, and how it harbours many shades of black, white and grey. Even so, the method used did not convey the importance to me, and left me both skeptical at the accuracy of the articles in question, and the sources used. This is a journalistic piece, so their is going to be an "agenda" or bias pushed by the author.
Even so, China's Second Continent is an interesting read for those China-watchers amongst us. It is anecdotal to be sure, but has enough to interest the average reader. French is a veteran traveler, and his ease and dedication are exuberant and slightly contagious. I really want to visit Africa now! I will give this a soft recommendation for those interested in the subject matter, but do not expect a good number of sources, facts or stats to back up much of the interview material within the book.
February 3, 2015
Depuis quelques années, la Chine a fait son entrée fracassante dans les études africaines. Dans les années 2000, l’Occident, mi-admiratif mi-craintif, diagnostiquait l’émergence d’une « Chinafrique », pour reprendre le titre de l’ouvrage fondateur de Michel Beuret et Serge Michel (Grasset, 2008). Les Africains, séduits par la coopération gagnant-gagnant que leur faisaient miroiter leurs nouveaux partenaires chinois, se déclaraient ravis de sortir du face-à-face inégal dans lequel ils se considéraient enfermés avec leurs anciens colonisateurs depuis les indépendances. Les chiffres parlaient d’eux-mêmes : le commerce sino-africain décuplait en dix ans faisant de la Chine le premier partenaire commercial de l’Afrique subsaharienne.
Les choses ont évolué. Les perceptions ont changé. À l’enthousiasme un peu naïf des premières rencontres a succédé la prise de conscience lucide des motivations égoïstes de la Chine. L’enquête de Howard French participe de cette évolution. Le succès qu’il a eu – il figurait dans la liste des meilleurs ouvrages 2014 de The Economist – témoigne de l’intérêt porté au sujet tandis que la manière dont il le traite constitue une pierre dans le jardin de la Chine.
Howard French est un journaliste expérimenté qui a accompli l’essentiel de sa carrière au New York Times. Il en fut le correspondant à Shanghai avant de rejoindre l’École de journalisme de l’université de Columbia. Son livre est un récit de voyage rédigé à la première personne du singulier dans lequel il n’hésite pas à se mettre en scène, narrant, avec une impudeur toute américaine, les détails les plus intimes de ses tribulations. Qu’on s’en félicite ou qu’on le déplore, il ne s’agit donc pas d’une synthèse universitaire ni même d’une enquête de terrain, comparable à l’excellent ouvrage collectif de Jean-Jacques Gabas et Jean-Raphaël Chaponnière (Le temps de la Chine en Afrique, GEMDEV-Karthala, 2012) mais plutôt d’une collection de témoignages donnant des Chinois en Afrique une image kaléidoscopique. La démarche n’est guère différente de l’enquête menée par les journalistes espagnols Heriberto Araujo et Juan Pablo Cardinal (La silenciosa conquesta china, 2011 ; trad. fr. Le siècle de la Chine, Flammarion, 2013)
Ce tableau impressionniste contredit deux idées préconçues.
La première serait que la Chine aurait un « plan » en Afrique, qu’elle y déploierait une stratégie impérialiste, mûrement réfléchie. Sans doute cette idée n’est-elle pas totalement dénuée de fondement : la Chine mène une politique africaine qui articule trois composantes diplomatique (avec les tournées régulières de ses dirigeants), financière (avec le soutien des banques publiques) et culturelle (avec la multiplication des centres Confucius, l’accès gratuit aux dépêches de l’agence Xinhua et la diffusion de CCTV dans tout le continent). Howard French aurait pu la documenter s’il était allé enquêter à Pékin. Mais, les témoignages qu’il recueille auprès des migrants chinois et même des ambassades révèlent, au contraire, une étonnante improvisation. Les Chinois qui émigrent en Afrique n’y ont pas été missionnés par leur gouvernement pour mettre en œuvre quelque sombre entreprise impériale concoctée dans une salle secrète de Zhongnanhai. Ce sont, plus trivialement, des migrants ordinaires, qui ont quitté leur pays car ils ne s’y épanouissaient pas et qui disposent du capital financier et humain suffisant pour tenter l’aventure. Avides de réussite, ils sont prêt à chi ku, littéralement à « manger amer », pour s’enrichir. D’où leur capacité à travailler dans les coins les plus retirés de l’Afrique où aucun Occidental ne s’aventurerait.
La seconde idée reçue est celle d’une coopération gagnant-gagnant entre la Chine et l’Afrique. Les Chinois que rencontre Howard French ne sont pas des philanthropes. Ils n’ont qu’une obsession : la réussite matérielle. Ils manifestent à l’égard des Africains qu’ils côtoient une indifférence voire un racisme particulièrement choquants pour nous autres, Occidentaux conditionnés par un demi-siècle de culpabilité post-coloniale et d’idéologie antiraciste. Du Mozambique au Sénégal, en passant par la Zambie, la Namibie et le Ghana, les Chinois que l’auteur a rencontrés se ressemblent beaucoup. Ils cherchent un retour sur investissement lucratif, sans se soucier des effets collatéraux sur les populations locales et leur environnement. Ils se plaignent de la main d’œuvre africaine qu’ils trouvent mal formée, paresseuse, voleuse … Pas étonnant qu’en réaction leur présence ait, au fil du temps, suscité des réactions hostiles, en Zambie dans les mines de cuivre où leurs employés sous-payés travaillent au mépris des règles de sécurité, ou au Sénégal où les petits commerçants chinois pratiquent le dumping et évincent les marchands locaux.
Le défaut de l’approche de Howard French est qu’elle interdit les généralisations. On ne peut définitivement inférer des témoignages qu’il a recueillis que les Chinois en Afrique soient tous des desperados sans foi ni loi, âpres au gain et racistes. Sans doute, les services de communication du gouvernement chinois, s’ils font bien leur travail, produiront-ils des témoignages contraires, démontrant la bénévolence des commerçants chinois et l’impact positif de leurs investissements. Pour autant, ce livre donne froid dans le dos sur leur comportement et devrait donner à réfléchir aux pays hôtes.
Les choses ont évolué. Les perceptions ont changé. À l’enthousiasme un peu naïf des premières rencontres a succédé la prise de conscience lucide des motivations égoïstes de la Chine. L’enquête de Howard French participe de cette évolution. Le succès qu’il a eu – il figurait dans la liste des meilleurs ouvrages 2014 de The Economist – témoigne de l’intérêt porté au sujet tandis que la manière dont il le traite constitue une pierre dans le jardin de la Chine.
Howard French est un journaliste expérimenté qui a accompli l’essentiel de sa carrière au New York Times. Il en fut le correspondant à Shanghai avant de rejoindre l’École de journalisme de l’université de Columbia. Son livre est un récit de voyage rédigé à la première personne du singulier dans lequel il n’hésite pas à se mettre en scène, narrant, avec une impudeur toute américaine, les détails les plus intimes de ses tribulations. Qu’on s’en félicite ou qu’on le déplore, il ne s’agit donc pas d’une synthèse universitaire ni même d’une enquête de terrain, comparable à l’excellent ouvrage collectif de Jean-Jacques Gabas et Jean-Raphaël Chaponnière (Le temps de la Chine en Afrique, GEMDEV-Karthala, 2012) mais plutôt d’une collection de témoignages donnant des Chinois en Afrique une image kaléidoscopique. La démarche n’est guère différente de l’enquête menée par les journalistes espagnols Heriberto Araujo et Juan Pablo Cardinal (La silenciosa conquesta china, 2011 ; trad. fr. Le siècle de la Chine, Flammarion, 2013)
Ce tableau impressionniste contredit deux idées préconçues.
La première serait que la Chine aurait un « plan » en Afrique, qu’elle y déploierait une stratégie impérialiste, mûrement réfléchie. Sans doute cette idée n’est-elle pas totalement dénuée de fondement : la Chine mène une politique africaine qui articule trois composantes diplomatique (avec les tournées régulières de ses dirigeants), financière (avec le soutien des banques publiques) et culturelle (avec la multiplication des centres Confucius, l’accès gratuit aux dépêches de l’agence Xinhua et la diffusion de CCTV dans tout le continent). Howard French aurait pu la documenter s’il était allé enquêter à Pékin. Mais, les témoignages qu’il recueille auprès des migrants chinois et même des ambassades révèlent, au contraire, une étonnante improvisation. Les Chinois qui émigrent en Afrique n’y ont pas été missionnés par leur gouvernement pour mettre en œuvre quelque sombre entreprise impériale concoctée dans une salle secrète de Zhongnanhai. Ce sont, plus trivialement, des migrants ordinaires, qui ont quitté leur pays car ils ne s’y épanouissaient pas et qui disposent du capital financier et humain suffisant pour tenter l’aventure. Avides de réussite, ils sont prêt à chi ku, littéralement à « manger amer », pour s’enrichir. D’où leur capacité à travailler dans les coins les plus retirés de l’Afrique où aucun Occidental ne s’aventurerait.
La seconde idée reçue est celle d’une coopération gagnant-gagnant entre la Chine et l’Afrique. Les Chinois que rencontre Howard French ne sont pas des philanthropes. Ils n’ont qu’une obsession : la réussite matérielle. Ils manifestent à l’égard des Africains qu’ils côtoient une indifférence voire un racisme particulièrement choquants pour nous autres, Occidentaux conditionnés par un demi-siècle de culpabilité post-coloniale et d’idéologie antiraciste. Du Mozambique au Sénégal, en passant par la Zambie, la Namibie et le Ghana, les Chinois que l’auteur a rencontrés se ressemblent beaucoup. Ils cherchent un retour sur investissement lucratif, sans se soucier des effets collatéraux sur les populations locales et leur environnement. Ils se plaignent de la main d’œuvre africaine qu’ils trouvent mal formée, paresseuse, voleuse … Pas étonnant qu’en réaction leur présence ait, au fil du temps, suscité des réactions hostiles, en Zambie dans les mines de cuivre où leurs employés sous-payés travaillent au mépris des règles de sécurité, ou au Sénégal où les petits commerçants chinois pratiquent le dumping et évincent les marchands locaux.
Le défaut de l’approche de Howard French est qu’elle interdit les généralisations. On ne peut définitivement inférer des témoignages qu’il a recueillis que les Chinois en Afrique soient tous des desperados sans foi ni loi, âpres au gain et racistes. Sans doute, les services de communication du gouvernement chinois, s’ils font bien leur travail, produiront-ils des témoignages contraires, démontrant la bénévolence des commerçants chinois et l’impact positif de leurs investissements. Pour autant, ce livre donne froid dans le dos sur leur comportement et devrait donner à réfléchir aux pays hôtes.
September 9, 2022
- China's opening towards Africa began with Jiang Zeming's urge to "Go Out" - and the Chinese companies did
- Coincide with Jiang's urge, many of the Chinese migrants to Africa was by choice: they simply feel that the competition in China was too fierce, and Africa grants them more opportunity than their motherland. Many of the migrants were construction workers shipped to Africa for Chinese "gifts" (such as a soccer stadium that was built as a goodwill gesture)
- However, the natives' response towards the migrants - and soon, many of the Chinese "bosses" - was often not favorable. Many complaint about the meager pay as well as harsh working condition. Something Chinese often dismiss as the "blacks" were just too lazy and want too much, and don't have "tolerance" (Chiku in Chinese)
- Africa's own development history has been patchy, leading to many open corruption and civil war as well as dilapidated business environment often cited due to failed experimentation with socialism. Only in recent decades African nation began embracing open market scheme like the West
- "Slavery" is still very much a thing, with someone mentioning to the author that a person can simply by a wife from a local father for very little money
- Coincide with Jiang's urge, many of the Chinese migrants to Africa was by choice: they simply feel that the competition in China was too fierce, and Africa grants them more opportunity than their motherland. Many of the migrants were construction workers shipped to Africa for Chinese "gifts" (such as a soccer stadium that was built as a goodwill gesture)
- However, the natives' response towards the migrants - and soon, many of the Chinese "bosses" - was often not favorable. Many complaint about the meager pay as well as harsh working condition. Something Chinese often dismiss as the "blacks" were just too lazy and want too much, and don't have "tolerance" (Chiku in Chinese)
- Africa's own development history has been patchy, leading to many open corruption and civil war as well as dilapidated business environment often cited due to failed experimentation with socialism. Only in recent decades African nation began embracing open market scheme like the West
- "Slavery" is still very much a thing, with someone mentioning to the author that a person can simply by a wife from a local father for very little money
December 26, 2014
Superb--this book gives a completely new and informed perspective on Africa and its Chinese immigrants.
August 18, 2021
A fairly light examination of the impact of Chinese investment and migration in Africa, in the tone of a traveler-journalist reflecting on many short, shallow road trip conversations with large and small businessmen and a few women (few in business), across many countries across the whole continent. Probably not much new here for anyone who's been paying attention, but the book is a good pause and reflection on what 1 million migrants may mean in practical terms, and the diversity of push and pull factors, settle and return decisions, that complicate that big round number.
French quotes his interlocutors in paragraphs, giving them space for different personalities and perspectives to come through, but I wonder about French's selection bias. A lot of racist and ignorant offhand commentary made the cut, for example, and very little of what the various Chinese guides were probably trying to get across to French's audience. Who knows what's actually representative? The book did use its quotes to illustrate stats and French's political economic analysis, but they felt a little too convenient, with not enough context for the quotes to count as evidence. This may be simply my bias against popular nonfiction in which the journalist's story is more centered than his reporting!
That said, the book smoothly introduces a number of big issues and questions related to Chinese government and business investment in Africa, land grabs, corruption, infrastructure-for-extraction deals, transparency and democracy, differing economic and political support and power offered to citizens from Chinese and African governments, labor rights, and, most strikingly, the troubling difference between settler colonialism and immigration.
For a heavier lift, try Africa's New Oil: Power, Pipelines and Future Fortunes.
French quotes his interlocutors in paragraphs, giving them space for different personalities and perspectives to come through, but I wonder about French's selection bias. A lot of racist and ignorant offhand commentary made the cut, for example, and very little of what the various Chinese guides were probably trying to get across to French's audience. Who knows what's actually representative? The book did use its quotes to illustrate stats and French's political economic analysis, but they felt a little too convenient, with not enough context for the quotes to count as evidence. This may be simply my bias against popular nonfiction in which the journalist's story is more centered than his reporting!
That said, the book smoothly introduces a number of big issues and questions related to Chinese government and business investment in Africa, land grabs, corruption, infrastructure-for-extraction deals, transparency and democracy, differing economic and political support and power offered to citizens from Chinese and African governments, labor rights, and, most strikingly, the troubling difference between settler colonialism and immigration.
For a heavier lift, try Africa's New Oil: Power, Pipelines and Future Fortunes.
October 4, 2014
I did not expect this book to be so informative or entertaining and was pleasantly surprised. The author is a photographer and journalist who may also be a journalism faculty member at Columbia, He has long experience in Africa and is a wonderful writer. The book recounts trips around sub Saharan Africa that focus on the growing Chinese population there and the business activities associated with this population. The book is mostly driven by interviews and travel accounts, supported by background information along the way. The general punchline is that there are likely over a million Chinese in Africa and they are transforming business where they put down roots in sectors ranging from large scale big infrastructure projects to the daily small scale trade and service businesses that are seen in even small towns.
French's account has considerable admiration for the skills and character of the people who have come from China and established themselves in what are often difficult conditions. This is combined with sharp skepticism that probes into less admirable habits and traits including often barely concealed racism and corruption. The account of interviews is refreshing and shows real and often frank exchanges between different people and perspectives. The style is that of an informed travel account which made me think of the work of Ryszard Kapuscinski.
The global story on offer is one of a new Chinese imperialism -- different in some ways of course from European and American versions but very much an imperialism that is not necessarily aligned with the interests of their African partners. This is not a simple attack, however, and multiple sides are duly raised for the reader to consider. The author's position is very clear, however, throughout the book and is summed up nicely in a short concluding chapter.
French's account has considerable admiration for the skills and character of the people who have come from China and established themselves in what are often difficult conditions. This is combined with sharp skepticism that probes into less admirable habits and traits including often barely concealed racism and corruption. The account of interviews is refreshing and shows real and often frank exchanges between different people and perspectives. The style is that of an informed travel account which made me think of the work of Ryszard Kapuscinski.
The global story on offer is one of a new Chinese imperialism -- different in some ways of course from European and American versions but very much an imperialism that is not necessarily aligned with the interests of their African partners. This is not a simple attack, however, and multiple sides are duly raised for the reader to consider. The author's position is very clear, however, throughout the book and is summed up nicely in a short concluding chapter.
January 26, 2018
It is a good book as it's quite rare to have an author that travels around Africa to interview the Chinese living there. It wasn't able to provide much insights, but it helped me to learn more about the Chinese diaspora. I believe this has to do with the fact that the same story is happening all over Africa, hence the book also becomes repetitive. Chinese come to Africa to avoid the fierce competition back home and perhaps dream of striking it rich. Their attitude towards the Africans are predictable, whom
they thought of as lesser capable people, which is typical among Chinese. Finally it's also not a surprise to see repeatedly that Chinese government doesn't care about local governance as long as it's able to squeeze resources out of these countries and the local officials are very capable of selling out their own nations for their private gains.
they thought of as lesser capable people, which is typical among Chinese. Finally it's also not a surprise to see repeatedly that Chinese government doesn't care about local governance as long as it's able to squeeze resources out of these countries and the local officials are very capable of selling out their own nations for their private gains.
July 30, 2022
Wow
This was a very interesting read.
A particularly important read.
Some really shocking bits between the covers of this book, wow.
I knew there were campaigns in Africa, but this book really opened my eyes to the true extent.
I highly recommend this book for those conscious of global economic and international relations.
A bit of this was gleaned in Red Carpet: Hollywood, China, and the Global Battle for Cultural Supremacy, so I highly recommend reading both these books as companion reads.
4.6/5
This was a very interesting read.
A particularly important read.
Some really shocking bits between the covers of this book, wow.
I knew there were campaigns in Africa, but this book really opened my eyes to the true extent.
I highly recommend this book for those conscious of global economic and international relations.
A bit of this was gleaned in Red Carpet: Hollywood, China, and the Global Battle for Cultural Supremacy, so I highly recommend reading both these books as companion reads.
4.6/5
March 28, 2022
What a read! Captivating! In-depth! Hard to put down! Howard W. French is a very experienced journalist with an even more interesting background! I think he did an amazing job collecting information from both the local African and the foreign Chinese perspective. Something big is definitely happening in Africa and not a lot of media houses are reporting about it.
There were many facts and figures I wasn't even aware of. Did you know that by mid 21st century, Africa's continental population is expected to double to 3.5 billion people, which makes it more populous than China AND India combined! Also, by mid 21st century, most of Africa's natural resources are expected to be depleted. These figures are alarming! Based on demographic trends, natural resources and the vast amounts of uncultivated land in Africa, China is taking over the continent bit by bit.
On the one hand, the Chinese are bringing in much needed money and capital into the continent, however they are despised for the low wages they pay, if any as they often bring their own labor from China to do petty work in Africa. The quality of the infrastructure and products they built and bring in are also questionable, as is their unethical and corrupt dealings with the national government. There are basically two types of Chinese, who arrive on the continent; those who are part of government projects and those, who come out of their own initiative for an El Dorado-esque "Chinese dream." Most of the time I was appalled by the racist attitude the Chinese held towards the locals. One example:
"Gently, I tried to explain that spiritual practices were an important part of life pretty much all over Africa. She wasn’t buying it. 'In China there are people who worship, too, but you have to have your priorities right. If there’s no food at home for your children, how can you justify going to church?' "
On the other hand, African governments have been very weak in dealing with the Chinese by not enforcing the law, going against their own people to defend the Chinese, and overall letting the institutions go to waste. On top of that, the environment is being destroyed rapidly.
“We are trying to get the government to sit up and take notice, because we are simply stumbling through this relationship with China,” Bentil told me. “If you look at the elite, they think that China is the key to the future—a country that will provide lots of money without asking a lot of questions. In fact, we are the ones who are not asking questions. I am not pro- or anti-Chinese, but I want us to get a good deal out of this relationship, and you won’t get that by accident. China has a strategy, and we don’t, and they will take advantage of us, not because they are bad people, but because we haven’t been smart.”
There were many facts and figures I wasn't even aware of. Did you know that by mid 21st century, Africa's continental population is expected to double to 3.5 billion people, which makes it more populous than China AND India combined! Also, by mid 21st century, most of Africa's natural resources are expected to be depleted. These figures are alarming! Based on demographic trends, natural resources and the vast amounts of uncultivated land in Africa, China is taking over the continent bit by bit.
On the one hand, the Chinese are bringing in much needed money and capital into the continent, however they are despised for the low wages they pay, if any as they often bring their own labor from China to do petty work in Africa. The quality of the infrastructure and products they built and bring in are also questionable, as is their unethical and corrupt dealings with the national government. There are basically two types of Chinese, who arrive on the continent; those who are part of government projects and those, who come out of their own initiative for an El Dorado-esque "Chinese dream." Most of the time I was appalled by the racist attitude the Chinese held towards the locals. One example:
"Gently, I tried to explain that spiritual practices were an important part of life pretty much all over Africa. She wasn’t buying it. 'In China there are people who worship, too, but you have to have your priorities right. If there’s no food at home for your children, how can you justify going to church?' "
On the other hand, African governments have been very weak in dealing with the Chinese by not enforcing the law, going against their own people to defend the Chinese, and overall letting the institutions go to waste. On top of that, the environment is being destroyed rapidly.
“We are trying to get the government to sit up and take notice, because we are simply stumbling through this relationship with China,” Bentil told me. “If you look at the elite, they think that China is the key to the future—a country that will provide lots of money without asking a lot of questions. In fact, we are the ones who are not asking questions. I am not pro- or anti-Chinese, but I want us to get a good deal out of this relationship, and you won’t get that by accident. China has a strategy, and we don’t, and they will take advantage of us, not because they are bad people, but because we haven’t been smart.”
April 30, 2018
Né carne ne pesce.
Qui si parla di cinesi che fanno affari in Africa. Ho inquadrato un paio di situazioni: 1) commercianti cinesi che vendono prodotti cinesi sottocosto uccidendo l'impresa locale; 2) industriali o agricoltori cinesi che assumono africani, ma solo per lavori umili e per una frazione del minimo previsto dalla legge -e qui occorre precisare che il minimo previsto dalla legge è tipo 90 centesimi di dollaro, i cinesi ne sganciano 20 per un'ora di lavoro.
Tutto ciò avviene in barba alle leggi e agli interessi degli stessi africani grazie alle regalie ai politici e alle spettacolari e inutili opere di infrastruttura sponsorizzate dalla Cina. Stadi dove non si giocheranno mai finali di prestigio, ospedali dove nessun chirurgo farà trapianti, centri commerciali dove nessun africano potrà mai comprare un accidente.
I cinesi vendono sottocosto (agli africani) stoffe africane di cui copiano il disegno. I cinesi vendono smartphone agli africani a 7-10 dollari (gli stessi smartphone, immagino, che fanno schiumare di rabbia Salvini).
Se è un saggio scientifico, gli manca un'analisi rigorosa dei dati -ma evidentemente non vuole esserlo.
Questo è un reportage e un diario di viaggio e di incontri. L'argomento era nuovo, per cui l'ho letto con interesse, ma annoia perché fa sembrare le storie tutte uguali quando evidentemente NON possono esserlo. Il problema è che a Howard French manca la capacità di entrare in empatia con i personaggi (vedi Leslie Chang in Factory Girls) o di porsi in feroce antitesi con essi, che è un modo come un altro per conoscerli (vedi Oriana Fallaci) o di farli aprire senza giudicarli (vedi Studs Terkel in The Good War. An oral history of WW2). Insomma, un ampio servizio per un settimanale, stiracchiato all'inverosimile. Ma interessante.
Qui si parla di cinesi che fanno affari in Africa. Ho inquadrato un paio di situazioni: 1) commercianti cinesi che vendono prodotti cinesi sottocosto uccidendo l'impresa locale; 2) industriali o agricoltori cinesi che assumono africani, ma solo per lavori umili e per una frazione del minimo previsto dalla legge -e qui occorre precisare che il minimo previsto dalla legge è tipo 90 centesimi di dollaro, i cinesi ne sganciano 20 per un'ora di lavoro.
Tutto ciò avviene in barba alle leggi e agli interessi degli stessi africani grazie alle regalie ai politici e alle spettacolari e inutili opere di infrastruttura sponsorizzate dalla Cina. Stadi dove non si giocheranno mai finali di prestigio, ospedali dove nessun chirurgo farà trapianti, centri commerciali dove nessun africano potrà mai comprare un accidente.
I cinesi vendono sottocosto (agli africani) stoffe africane di cui copiano il disegno. I cinesi vendono smartphone agli africani a 7-10 dollari (gli stessi smartphone, immagino, che fanno schiumare di rabbia Salvini).
Se è un saggio scientifico, gli manca un'analisi rigorosa dei dati -ma evidentemente non vuole esserlo.
Questo è un reportage e un diario di viaggio e di incontri. L'argomento era nuovo, per cui l'ho letto con interesse, ma annoia perché fa sembrare le storie tutte uguali quando evidentemente NON possono esserlo. Il problema è che a Howard French manca la capacità di entrare in empatia con i personaggi (vedi Leslie Chang in Factory Girls) o di porsi in feroce antitesi con essi, che è un modo come un altro per conoscerli (vedi Oriana Fallaci) o di farli aprire senza giudicarli (vedi Studs Terkel in The Good War. An oral history of WW2). Insomma, un ampio servizio per un settimanale, stiracchiato all'inverosimile. Ma interessante.
December 12, 2021
Is it worth it?
The book is repetitive. The detailed telling of his traveling and how each person looked,how the car rode, what the streets looked like etc was unnecessary and made the book boring. I can understand wanting to give a description of location to create the setting/tone of the book BUT it didn't add to the true value of the book and indeed brought it down as the information was oftentimes pointless And long.
The interviews started to become redundant after a while because they all seem to be saying the same thing and he seemed to be thinking the same thing. "The Chinese look down at Africans and are looking to re-colonize various countries on the continent". I was not at all shocked to read that the Chinese thought Africans do not work hard, do not learn fast, etc. Chinese has a history of Superiority to other nations and a history of racism towards dark skinned people from Africa.
I always think its weird when individuals leave their own country but keep its overall attitude. You left for a reason, No? Most of the Chinese interviewees stated " China was over crowded, not enough resources, they wanted a slower pace of life, didn't like the work standards etc but you come to another country to strip it of its natural resources, and work the natives relentlessly. You enacted on another People exactly what you hate about your own country. Weird.
I do think the author had pre drawn conclusions before writing this book but I also don't think they hindered the writing stance or were wrong. This read took me a while to get through. Overall not a good read, and the information wasn't new or revolutionary. Had the book been able to pull me in more I would have given a higher rating but it simply was boring and tedious to read.
The book is repetitive. The detailed telling of his traveling and how each person looked,how the car rode, what the streets looked like etc was unnecessary and made the book boring. I can understand wanting to give a description of location to create the setting/tone of the book BUT it didn't add to the true value of the book and indeed brought it down as the information was oftentimes pointless And long.
The interviews started to become redundant after a while because they all seem to be saying the same thing and he seemed to be thinking the same thing. "The Chinese look down at Africans and are looking to re-colonize various countries on the continent". I was not at all shocked to read that the Chinese thought Africans do not work hard, do not learn fast, etc. Chinese has a history of Superiority to other nations and a history of racism towards dark skinned people from Africa.
I always think its weird when individuals leave their own country but keep its overall attitude. You left for a reason, No? Most of the Chinese interviewees stated " China was over crowded, not enough resources, they wanted a slower pace of life, didn't like the work standards etc but you come to another country to strip it of its natural resources, and work the natives relentlessly. You enacted on another People exactly what you hate about your own country. Weird.
I do think the author had pre drawn conclusions before writing this book but I also don't think they hindered the writing stance or were wrong. This read took me a while to get through. Overall not a good read, and the information wasn't new or revolutionary. Had the book been able to pull me in more I would have given a higher rating but it simply was boring and tedious to read.
July 2, 2017
رغم رفضها الشديد لأي تشبيه بينها و بين القوى الإستعمارية السابقة فإن ما تقوم به الصين مشابه تماما لما كانت تقوم به القوى الاستعمارية و ان كان بطريقة مختلفة.
ما هو الاستعمار الا تحكم بمقدرات الشعوب تحت غطاء نقلها الى المدنية و التحضر.
لقد تمكنت الصين خلال العقود القليلة الماضية من فرض سيطرتها على الكثير من الحكومات الافريقية من خلال منحها قروض و مساعدات متمثله في بناء طرق نقل برية، مطارات، ملاعب، مستشفيات، الخ. طبعا هذه المشاريع جميعها تتم بواسطة تمويل صيني وعن طريق مقاول صيني و طاقم عمل صيني بالكامل من اجل منع نقل اي نوع من الخبرات للسكان الاصليين، بهذه الطريقة فإن اموال هذه القروض تعود كلها للصين ولا يصل لجيب الدول الافريقية اي شي منها الا رشاوي لبعض النافذين من اجل تاكيد استمرارية هذه السياسات وعلى الحكومات تسديد القروض عن طريق منح الشركات الصينية حقوق التعدين على اراضيها و بشروط مشحفة للدول ( أغلب الإنشاءات الصينية تعاني من مشاكل بسبب سوء الجودة يبدأ بعضها بالظهور حتى قبل الانتهاء منها)
من خلال الكتاب فإننا نرافق المؤلف في خلال رحلته الى عدد من الدول الأفريقية حيث تتواجد جاليات صينية كبيرة تتباين بين رجال أعمال و عمال بسيطين (فالصينيون لا يوظفون الا صينيين الا ما ندر) يوضح الكاتب كيف تغيرت اوضاع عدة مدن و قرى كان قد زارها في الماضي قبل ان يغزوها الصينيون و يسيطروا على الصناعة و قطاع التجزأه فيها و يعاملون اي عمال محليين بطرق مجحفة و برواتب لا تذكر وبدون اي اعت��اض من الحكومات التي هي تحت سيطره الصين.
يعرض الكاتب وجه نظر مختلفة للوجود الصيني في افريقيا عن طريق عدد كبير من المقابلات تشمل صينيين و أفريقيين من دول مختلفة عن نظرتهم للوجود الصيني و ما إذا كان له تأثير إيجابي او سلبي.
ما هو الاستعمار الا تحكم بمقدرات الشعوب تحت غطاء نقلها الى المدنية و التحضر.
لقد تمكنت الصين خلال العقود القليلة الماضية من فرض سيطرتها على الكثير من الحكومات الافريقية من خلال منحها قروض و مساعدات متمثله في بناء طرق نقل برية، مطارات، ملاعب، مستشفيات، الخ. طبعا هذه المشاريع جميعها تتم بواسطة تمويل صيني وعن طريق مقاول صيني و طاقم عمل صيني بالكامل من اجل منع نقل اي نوع من الخبرات للسكان الاصليين، بهذه الطريقة فإن اموال هذه القروض تعود كلها للصين ولا يصل لجيب الدول الافريقية اي شي منها الا رشاوي لبعض النافذين من اجل تاكيد استمرارية هذه السياسات وعلى الحكومات تسديد القروض عن طريق منح الشركات الصينية حقوق التعدين على اراضيها و بشروط مشحفة للدول ( أغلب الإنشاءات الصينية تعاني من مشاكل بسبب سوء الجودة يبدأ بعضها بالظهور حتى قبل الانتهاء منها)
من خلال الكتاب فإننا نرافق المؤلف في خلال رحلته الى عدد من الدول الأفريقية حيث تتواجد جاليات صينية كبيرة تتباين بين رجال أعمال و عمال بسيطين (فالصينيون لا يوظفون الا صينيين الا ما ندر) يوضح الكاتب كيف تغيرت اوضاع عدة مدن و قرى كان قد زارها في الماضي قبل ان يغزوها الصينيون و يسيطروا على الصناعة و قطاع التجزأه فيها و يعاملون اي عمال محليين بطرق مجحفة و برواتب لا تذكر وبدون اي اعت��اض من الحكومات التي هي تحت سيطره الصين.
يعرض الكاتب وجه نظر مختلفة للوجود الصيني في افريقيا عن طريق عدد كبير من المقابلات تشمل صينيين و أفريقيين من دول مختلفة عن نظرتهم للوجود الصيني و ما إذا كان له تأثير إيجابي او سلبي.
August 15, 2016
We think of China as an exporting powerhouse, but many of us have forgotten about its most powerful export--the millions of Chinese people who have ventured to Africa for a better living. Howard French writes a fascinating account as he travels and interviews. He writes of both the African locals and officials, and their Chinese foils of public employees and private citizens. In the passage, French dabs at the tensions across the continent with shrewd insights and a tint of humor. This book itself is an ambitious project and an inspiring attempt at unraveling the tangled strands behind the contentions and collusions between the Africans and the Chinese: we hear tales of corruption of African governance on the local and national level; we witness the aspirations and perseverance of the Chinese diaspora, who were crushed by and consequently fled the recent developments back home; we are not spared from a reminder of the flaws to the West's aid projects, and are left with a taste of the not-so-remote colonial past. This book opened up my eyes--wide-- to the real-time struggles of emigrants, neglected by their own government and who continue to move and shake up the conventions and populations on another much ignored, oppressed, continent.
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January 13, 2014Fascinating, story-based look at the lives and effects of the Chinese immigrants who have moved to Africa to start a life, have more breathing space, create new/exploitative industries. This is a look at colonisation from an Other's point of view (the coloniser this time being someone non-European or -American, so the bit of distance allows for more condemnation).
It also points out, as an aside or indirectly, that there are dangers in overpopulation for both the coloniser and the colonised, and there are dangers in dependence on outsiders. We knew this, but to see it in action is scary. There is of course the danger in bad governance. But that's a day to day problem for every country.
Some overarching themes from the Chinese who live in Africa: there is no trust in the Africans (they seem to think the Africans are lazy and will not do what you tell them to do if you're not watching over them); all Chinese live like this in Africa...alone; China is making up for imperial lost time. Perhaps this is nouveau-colonialism: peaceful, individual, diaspora-based - yet isn't that how 16th and 17th century imperialism also started?
It also points out, as an aside or indirectly, that there are dangers in overpopulation for both the coloniser and the colonised, and there are dangers in dependence on outsiders. We knew this, but to see it in action is scary. There is of course the danger in bad governance. But that's a day to day problem for every country.
Some overarching themes from the Chinese who live in Africa: there is no trust in the Africans (they seem to think the Africans are lazy and will not do what you tell them to do if you're not watching over them); all Chinese live like this in Africa...alone; China is making up for imperial lost time. Perhaps this is nouveau-colonialism: peaceful, individual, diaspora-based - yet isn't that how 16th and 17th century imperialism also started?
January 18, 2015
An interesting read, much of it feels like a travelogue, but ultimately it’s a bit disappointing. French interviews a couple dozen or so government officials, NGO staff, business people, union reps, men on the street, even at one point transcribing a conversation he eavesdropped on at a nearby table in a restaurant. Little country-specific macro or continental data is published. There is one map of Africa found at the beginning of the book with French’s five routes marked on it that covered fewer than a dozen of Africa’s 53 countries. French’s thesis rests primarily on conversational and anecdotal evidence gleaned from his interviews and lacks serious rigor. Is the reader to triangulate the views and positions of those French talks to arrive at the truth of the Chinese presence? No bibliography or index is provided.
June 4, 2019
Well-written book on a fascinating topic.
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July 17, 2019A serious and enjoyable look under the hood of "China in Africa".
August 31, 2017
What is China doing in Africa ?
This is the question many Africa's observers have been wondering lately and that Howard French attempts to answer in this work.
French traveled through different African countries (from Mozambique to Mali) and exchanged with different actors: Chinese immigrants, African workers or decision takers, European expats etc.
This phenomena is in fact quite complex, if in many aspects chinese activities remain much at the former european colonialism, chinese activities also differ. Though, French assumes, that African governments get bribbed by China, Beijing does not interfere (at least openly) in African intern businesses and presents those relations as "win-win" cases. Reality is obviously not matching those ideals, but is China the only culprit ? As mentioned by an interviewed African in the book "China has a strategy, but we don't". All in all, China is getting the best they can to obtain maximal profits out of those trades, while their African counterparts are being short-sighted.
Most of times, we assume, that China is simply attempting to secure its access to natural ressources. However, their interests in Africa are way broader. First of all the infamous Chinese overpopulation encourage many to search for new opportunities abroad. The relative emptiness of the African continent offers them new lands to settle in. Secondly, the declining demography both in North America and Europe could force China to contribute developping Africa, at least in sufficient extents to encourage the emergence of a middle class, that could serve as a new "Absatzmarkt".
Though their aggressive market policies, their low respect for local laws (such as the almost systematical refusal to hire local african workers) and in some regards arrogance, we should give credit to China for bringing focuses on Africa. This part of the world had been greatly neglected and ignored by the USA since the departure of the former European powers. The intrusion of America's greatest rival is forcing them to focus more on this region of the world as they did before. Also, though we should not forget, that those "demonstrations of generosity" are hiding larger political plans, China built and contributed more to the construction of infrastructures (from roads, to schools and hospitals) than western powers did since the end of the colonial era.
China's investement in Africa could be a bless as it could be a new curse. The outcome of those relations will depend much upon how African governments will proceed with their Chinese partners. If they can stand their ground, be far-sighted (becoming more than simple raw materials producers) and force Chinese to play according to the rules (like forcing them respecting local economic policies or to hire and forme indigenous workers instead of importing chinese manpower), then Chinese money could be a great help for their development. For those, which will keep applying short-sighted policies and being easily corrupted by Beijing's money, it seems their fate will be to live once again under a foreign domination.
I have to admit, that Africa is far from being my playground. This is in fact, the first time that I am dealing with a material concerning this continent. Therefore, I may lack the knowledges to notice any potential weakness or to contradict Howard French's work. Nevertheless it was a pleasant and informative reading about one of the hottest issue in the current international affairs. It is a pity though, that Northafrica is being totally ignored in this work. Africa is not limited to its subsaharian part and China has also been active in Maghreb.
This is the question many Africa's observers have been wondering lately and that Howard French attempts to answer in this work.
French traveled through different African countries (from Mozambique to Mali) and exchanged with different actors: Chinese immigrants, African workers or decision takers, European expats etc.
This phenomena is in fact quite complex, if in many aspects chinese activities remain much at the former european colonialism, chinese activities also differ. Though, French assumes, that African governments get bribbed by China, Beijing does not interfere (at least openly) in African intern businesses and presents those relations as "win-win" cases. Reality is obviously not matching those ideals, but is China the only culprit ? As mentioned by an interviewed African in the book "China has a strategy, but we don't". All in all, China is getting the best they can to obtain maximal profits out of those trades, while their African counterparts are being short-sighted.
Most of times, we assume, that China is simply attempting to secure its access to natural ressources. However, their interests in Africa are way broader. First of all the infamous Chinese overpopulation encourage many to search for new opportunities abroad. The relative emptiness of the African continent offers them new lands to settle in. Secondly, the declining demography both in North America and Europe could force China to contribute developping Africa, at least in sufficient extents to encourage the emergence of a middle class, that could serve as a new "Absatzmarkt".
Though their aggressive market policies, their low respect for local laws (such as the almost systematical refusal to hire local african workers) and in some regards arrogance, we should give credit to China for bringing focuses on Africa. This part of the world had been greatly neglected and ignored by the USA since the departure of the former European powers. The intrusion of America's greatest rival is forcing them to focus more on this region of the world as they did before. Also, though we should not forget, that those "demonstrations of generosity" are hiding larger political plans, China built and contributed more to the construction of infrastructures (from roads, to schools and hospitals) than western powers did since the end of the colonial era.
China's investement in Africa could be a bless as it could be a new curse. The outcome of those relations will depend much upon how African governments will proceed with their Chinese partners. If they can stand their ground, be far-sighted (becoming more than simple raw materials producers) and force Chinese to play according to the rules (like forcing them respecting local economic policies or to hire and forme indigenous workers instead of importing chinese manpower), then Chinese money could be a great help for their development. For those, which will keep applying short-sighted policies and being easily corrupted by Beijing's money, it seems their fate will be to live once again under a foreign domination.
I have to admit, that Africa is far from being my playground. This is in fact, the first time that I am dealing with a material concerning this continent. Therefore, I may lack the knowledges to notice any potential weakness or to contradict Howard French's work. Nevertheless it was a pleasant and informative reading about one of the hottest issue in the current international affairs. It is a pity though, that Northafrica is being totally ignored in this work. Africa is not limited to its subsaharian part and China has also been active in Maghreb.
January 5, 2015
Big projects in Africa--real big, like dams, football stadiums and bridges--built by Chinese companies with ties to the government of China generally get the headlines and set the tone for the narrative of China in Africa. Howard French has spent years in both China and Africa, speaks French, English and Mandarin and thinks that the a different truth about the Chinese agenda and the African response to it are created by the thoughts, deeds and attitudes of thousands of individuals, most of them anonymous.
French is a clear, thoughtful storyteller. He has talked with Chinese managers, technicians, construction workers and even a few owners of karaoke bars and illegal roadside peddlers along with hundreds of African miners, merchants and farmers plus more than a few diplomats. It is tempting to say that he lets his interlocutors tell the story themselves but it only seems that way—French has shaped years of work into a book that is both full of information and a joy to read.
His chapter on Zambian copper miners and Chinese supervisors is a good example. We know that the ill treatment and lack of respect by Chinese managers of their Zambian workers, including beating them when they asked for back wages, led to a series of confrontation that resulted in a Chinese foreman being killed and twelve Zambians shot and wounded but not killed. This incident happened after French finished his reporting but he made it seem as inevitable as a Greek tragedy that there would be deadly conflict. A shocking but not surprising statement from the president, Rupiah Banda, made it clear whose side the government was on: “Every day people are shot by Zambians, are shot by white people, are shot by Americans, they are shot by everyone. Let’s be careful that we do not single out people”. Makes it seem that Zambia has as much gun violence as, say, the United States.
Senegal is another case—The Senegalese are some of the most vigorous and energetic merchants in Africa and are ubiquitous on street corners from New York to Milan selling clothing made with “authentic” West African cloth (now usually made from start to finish in textile factories in China). However Chinese merchants selling pirated DVD, mobile phone airtime, cigarettes, essentially anything portable and cheap started colonizing the trading streets and souks of Dakar, outselling the Senegalese on their home turf by undercutting prices and working more aggressively.
French found Chinese people everywhere—from boardrooms to ramshackle offices at the mouth of copper pits to shacks selling trinkets in cities. Clearly they have inserted themselves into African economies (but not societies) from top to bottom.
Well worth reading for anyone interested in the subject.
French is a clear, thoughtful storyteller. He has talked with Chinese managers, technicians, construction workers and even a few owners of karaoke bars and illegal roadside peddlers along with hundreds of African miners, merchants and farmers plus more than a few diplomats. It is tempting to say that he lets his interlocutors tell the story themselves but it only seems that way—French has shaped years of work into a book that is both full of information and a joy to read.
His chapter on Zambian copper miners and Chinese supervisors is a good example. We know that the ill treatment and lack of respect by Chinese managers of their Zambian workers, including beating them when they asked for back wages, led to a series of confrontation that resulted in a Chinese foreman being killed and twelve Zambians shot and wounded but not killed. This incident happened after French finished his reporting but he made it seem as inevitable as a Greek tragedy that there would be deadly conflict. A shocking but not surprising statement from the president, Rupiah Banda, made it clear whose side the government was on: “Every day people are shot by Zambians, are shot by white people, are shot by Americans, they are shot by everyone. Let’s be careful that we do not single out people”. Makes it seem that Zambia has as much gun violence as, say, the United States.
Senegal is another case—The Senegalese are some of the most vigorous and energetic merchants in Africa and are ubiquitous on street corners from New York to Milan selling clothing made with “authentic” West African cloth (now usually made from start to finish in textile factories in China). However Chinese merchants selling pirated DVD, mobile phone airtime, cigarettes, essentially anything portable and cheap started colonizing the trading streets and souks of Dakar, outselling the Senegalese on their home turf by undercutting prices and working more aggressively.
French found Chinese people everywhere—from boardrooms to ramshackle offices at the mouth of copper pits to shacks selling trinkets in cities. Clearly they have inserted themselves into African economies (but not societies) from top to bottom.
Well worth reading for anyone interested in the subject.
August 3, 2018
...Liu talked about agriculture, remarking with raised eyebrows, “This is a country that can’t feed itself. You think about a place so rich in land, and it makes you wonder.” I asked what the obstacle was. “It’s cultural. Chinese people can really chi ku [eat bitter], and that’s not just spoken from the end of my lips. It’s a real difference. In Chinese we say that if you are hungry or cold you have to do something about it. Here they don’t have that problem. They get food easily and a few clothes suffice them. “Chinese people are in a hurry to work, to earn money, to get rich. If they are farmers, they make every day count. Here, it’s not the same. Africans like to dance. That’s their specialty. They may be poor, but they are very happy.” How many times had I heard these very words, or variants thereof? As we’ve seen, in Africa, China has rolled out a special vocabulary of friendly partnership, of marching together fraternally along the path of development, and, above all, of “win-win,” the anesthetizing catchphrase that is attached to nearly everything it does. In Liu’s remarks, echoed in a thousand other similar conversations I’d been a part of, though, one glimpsed a darker truth. China had not so much broken with the paternalism of the West that it so often decried, as replaced it with a new one of its own. Africans were not really brothers. Not at all. Behind the fraternal masks, Chinese officials thought of them as children, capable only of baby steps, to be brought along with sugary inducements and infantilizing speech.
Very interesting topic that not a lot has been written on but the author himself detracts from the quality of the book. In an attempt to show partiality, he counter-signals both Chinese and Africans only to end up looking like a radical centrist caricature. Every time an African describes the Chinese as a combination of 'greedy, lecherous, arrogant, fraudulent' he will say something like 'But weren't the Portuguese/French/British worse?.' Every time a Chinaman describes the Africans as a combination of 'lazy, stupid, ignorant, unconcerned' he says something like 'but wasn't China a developing country once?' In an adult nonfiction book about the interaction between Chinese and Africans in Africa, the reader can be spared the petty moralizing at the end of each segment.
November 4, 2016
Fascinating look into China's growing economic connections with Africa. French's interviews reflect many of the same findings that sociologist C.K. Lee wrote about in her 2009 article in the China Quarterly. French finds that most Chinese in Africa look down upon the locals, unconsciously mimicking many of the same slanders that can be found in racist colonialist discourse. Africans are indolent. They can't learn. They waste their money. They need to be directed by a greater, more knowledgeable center. The center is not, in this case, Europe, but China. Fujianese and Hunanese members of China's "lost generation" (they lost out on a decent education during their teens and twenties during the Cultural Revolution) come to Africa as traders in petty goods but end up exploiting natural resources, purchasing land, or opening hotels. Managers from state enterprises in China gain control of copper mines and exploit local labor, failing to provide workers dealing with caustic chemicals even the most rudimentary of protective gear and importing unskilled Chinese labor that takes jobs now-casualized Zambians could have filled. Chinese-built prestige architectural projects build public support through spectacle, an alternative to Western financial support that corrupt officials siphon away. Given the West's history in Africa, it is no surprise that China is being given opportunities by governments across the continent, but given Chinese economic migrants prejudices and hard-nosed materialist desires, French leaves us wondering whether the Chinese will stay in Africa just long enough to plunder it further. Perhaps a better collaboration is possible, but it won't occur as long as Africa is seen primarily as a money tree.
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