SA defends China’s Africa blitz

PRETORIA – South Africa on Thursday defended the Chinese juggernaut in Africa, saying Beijing was opening markets and helping the world’s poorest continent reap the benefits of its vast mineral and oil riches.

“Africa is one of the poorest continents with one of the greatest opportunities and we don’t understand the argument that China has an ulterior motive,” deputy foreign minister Aziz Pahad told reporters in Pretoria. “The Chinese have undertaken an absolute commitment that as they expand their relations into Africa they will do everything possible to ensure that it does not reintroduce old colonial type of relations,” he said.He said Beijing would not just be “taking raw materials from Africa without partnering with us and opening up markets for exports from Africa.”If handled properly, and if we are able to keep the Chinese to the commitment that relations with us must not be one of the old colonial type, I believe this forum will open up many possibilities for South-South co-operation.”China recently hosted a pathbreaking Africa summit, which Beijing capped by signing deals worth US$1,9 billion and made promises of aid, debt relief, and increased bilateral trade in the years ahead.China has been gaining access to African energy resources at breakneck speed and has been criticised for engaging some tainted African nations without pushing for improvements in human rights and governance.South Africa is due to host the next Africa-China summit in 2009.Nampa-AFP”The Chinese have undertaken an absolute commitment that as they expand their relations into Africa they will do everything possible to ensure that it does not reintroduce old colonial type of relations,” he said.He said Beijing would not just be “taking raw materials from Africa without partnering with us and opening up markets for exports from Africa.”If handled properly, and if we are able to keep the Chinese to the commitment that relations with us must not be one of the old colonial type, I believe this forum will open up many possibilities for South-South co-operation.”China recently hosted a pathbreaking Africa summit, which Beijing capped by signing deals worth US$1,9 billion and made promises of aid, debt relief, and increased bilateral trade in the years ahead.China has been gaining access to African energy resources at breakneck speed and has been criticised for engaging some tainted African nations without pushing for improvements in human rights and governance.South Africa is due to host the next Africa-China summit in 2009.Nampa-AFP