There is a growing sense among Africans and Chinese alike that their once heady romance is now entering a new, more pragmatic phase. Across Africa, people and politicians are becoming visibly more concerned about the surging trade deficits, massive loan debts, persistent labor rights violations and a changing immigrant demography that may be beyond their control. China, for its part, is uncharacteristically humble in its assessments of the situation, describing it as “growing pains” and admitting that some of its people in Africa are undermining bilateral ties. Nairobi-based Sino-African consultant Huang Hongxiang joins us to talk about new challenges ahead.
Some of the links referenced in this week’s show:
- The Australian: China these are your salad days: enjoy them while they last.
- The Guardian (UK): Ugandans begin to question the high price of the growing China-Africa pact.
- Vibe Ghana: A decade of China in Africa: win-win or exploitation?
- BDLive (SA): Chinese aware of their imbalance in their trade with Africa
- Daily News (TZ): China, Tanzania should address trade imbalance
- South China Morning Post (HK): Bad apples in Africa: Chinese traders and companies’ behavior worries envoy
Huang Hongxiang graduated from Journalism school in Fudan University and SIPA (School of International and Public Affairs) in Columbia University of New York. As a freelance journalist for Southern Weekly, Atlantic, Mail&Guardian and so on, he went to Africa and South America many times to investigate and report on various issues, while at the same time focusing on Chinese investment with its related social environmental conflict resolution.
In May 2013, Mr. Huang graduated from SIPA and headed to Africa, where he works as a freelance journalist and business representative/consultant for responsible Chinese investment projects. In realizing his adventure dream about Africa and South America, he is dedicated to construct multi-stakeholder dialogue for China’s Going Out and ensure the sustainable development of Chinese overseas investment.
Huang is the founder of the Nairboi-based China House Kenya that provides consulting services to Chinese companies in Africa on sustainable development and investment. Click here to follow the China House Kenya on Facebook.
