african perspectives on china-africa links forthcoming in china quarterly, summer, 2009
TRANSCRIPT
African Perspectives on
China-Africa Links
Forthcoming in China Quarterly, Summer, 2009
① Destruction of African industry and exports
② Gratuitous use of home country labor; Poor health, safety and environmental standards
③ Racism among Chinese
④ Provision of arms and political support to the continent’s dictators and genocidaires.
Surveys:
African’s Perception of China-Africa Links
• Surveys by US polling groups among Africans
• A survey by Cameroon researchers.
• A survey of 2,000+ university students and faculty in nine African countries and Tianjin, China.
Our Findings:
Africans are① Not nearly as negative about China and Chinese
people as Western media portrays② Mostly positive about China/Africa links③ More positive about these links than about links
with the US.
The Main Influences • Africans own national political struggles • Western media influence in their countries.
Pew Global Attitudes Survey:2007, More favorable views of China in Africa than
in any other region. • Nigeria - favorable to China: 59% in 2006 75%
in 200779% in 2008• Five of the seven countries most positive about
Chinese economic influence were African
2008, Sub-Saharan Africa most positive about China
• 87% of Nigerians, 77% of Tanzanians and 53% of S. Africans positive about Chinese economic influence
Gallup Survey:
2006, Chad
2007, Sudan
China US Franc
Favorable to country 52% 50% 28%
Favorable to peoples 51% 48% 25%
Chin US
Favorable 48% 26%
Unfavorabl 26% 51%
Chines America
Favorable 51% 38%
Unfavorabl 21% 40%
Cameroons Research:• 70% disturbed by Chinese migration, but• 92% accept that China helps Cameroon’s economy • 81% say they welcome Chinese products
Survey of African Students and Faculty
• Largely favorable to links with China; • Chinese policies in Africa as more beneficial
than those of Western countries.
Table 1: For your country, is China's path of development Except in South Africa, majorities in all countries viewed China’s development as a positive model
Country
Table 1: For your country, is China's path of development
a very positive model
Somewhat positive Irrelevant negative don't know Count
Botswana
16.4% 39.2% 15.5% 9.5% 19.4% (232)
Egypt 39.3% 36.7% 11.7% 6.6% 5.6% (196)
Ethiopia 33.0% 52.8% 4.6% 6.1% 3.6% (197)
Ghana 44.4% 38.8% 4.8% 2.0% 10.0% (250)
Kenya 36.2% 47.4% 5.6% 4.6% 6.1% (196)
Nigeria 34.5% 40.6% 6.1% 3.6% 15.2% (197)
South Africa 3.0% 43.7% 1.5% 2.0% 49.7% (197)
Sudan 44.0% 40.5% 4.4% 6.3% 4.8% (252)
Zambia 22.0% 52.9% 8.4% 10.5% 6.3% (191)
Total %Total Count
30.9% (589)
43.3% (826
7.0% (133)
5.7% (108)
13.2% (252)
100% (1908)
Table 2: How much of China’s and Africa’s interests are in commonEthiopian, Sudanese, and Kenyan perceived China has most, many or some common interests with Africa. S. Africans, Batswana, and Egyptians were least enthusiastic. Half of Zambian respondents saw most, many or some common interests with China; those who saw few or none often cited a fear of China reducing its population by
sending migrants to Africa and/ or cultural differences, mainly a Chinese habit of keeping to themselves
Country
Table 2: How much of China’s and Africa’s interests are in common
Most Many Some A Few No Don't know
Count
Botswana
5.9% 11.4% 25.5% 22.7% 18.2% 16.4% (220)
Egypt 10.2% 17.3% 20.9% 31.6% 13.3% 6.6% (196)
Ethiopia 17.3% 30.5% 36.5% 9.1% 1.5% 5.1% (197)
Ghana 1.6% 11.2% 41.8% 26.5% 6.4% 12.4% (249)
Kenya 15.7% 29.9% 35.5% 15.7% 1.5% 1.5% (197)
Nigeria 8.1% 19.8% 39.6% 27.4% 1.5% 3.6% (197)
South Africa .5% 1.0% 29.4% 28.9% 22.8% 17.3% (197)
Sudan 36.9% 23.8% 22.6% 8.7% .8% 7.1% (252)
Zambia 4.1% 14.8% 32.1% 32.7% 10.2% 6.1% (196)
Total %Total Count
11.6% (220)
17.7% (336)
31.5% (599)
22.3% (424)
8.3% (158)
8.6% (164)
100% (1901)
Table 3: China is just in Africa for natural resourcesZambia and Sudan top the list in strongly agreeing or agreeing that China is only interested in Africa’s natural resources, followed by Ethiopia and Botswana. Responses from Egypt, Kenya and Nigeria are divided between agree, disagree and neutral/don’t know, but few S. Africans agree.
Country
Table 3: China is just in Africa for natural resources
strongly agree Agree Neutral disagreestrongly disagree don't know Count
Botswana
24.9% 16.5% 27.8% 19.0% 5.1% 6.8% (237)
Egypt 16.8% 20.8% 23.4% 25.4% 8.1% 5.6% (197)
Ethiopia 16.3% 29.6% 19.9% 23.0% 4.6% 6.6% (196)
Ghana 8.8% 20.8% 27.2% 35.2% 1.6% 6.4% (250)
Kenya 16.8% 16.2% 24.4% 33.5% 6.1% 3.0% (197)
Nigeria 6.6% 23.4% 27.4% 26.4% 8.6% 7.6% (197)
South Africa 1.0% 6.6% 38.1% 31.5% 4.1% 18.8% (197)
Sudan 21.6% 29.2% 19.2% 23.2% 4.0% 2.8% (250)
Zambia 23.5% 34.2% 19.9% 15.3% 2.6% 4.6% (196)
Total %Total Count
15.3 %(294)
22.0%(421)
25.2%(483)
25.9%(496)
4.9%(93)
6.8%(130) 100% (1917)
Table 4: For Africa, China’s policy of "non-interference“In each country, more people strongly approve or approve of “non-interference” than strongly disapprove or disapprove.
Country
Table 4: For Africa, China’s policy of "non-interference" is
a good policybasically good, but
with some problemsmore harmful
than good quite harmfuldon't know Count
Botswana
22.2% 34.3% 18.7% 9.1% 15.7% (230)
Egypt 34.4% 23.6% 19.5% 7.2% 15.4% (195)
Ethiopia 14.3% 50.5% 16.3% 11.2% 7.7% (196)
Ghana 24.0% 32.8% 13.6% 19.2% 10.4% (250)
Kenya 31.1% 35.8% 16.6% 12.4% 4.1% (193)
Nigeria 17.3% 31.0% 14.7% 12.7% 24.4% (197)
South Africa 12.2% 31.0% 19.8% 13.2% 23.9% (197)
Sudan 43.2% 33.6% 8.0% 4.8% 10.4% (250)
Zambia 29.6% 36.2% 18.9% 8.2% 7.1% (196)
Total %Total Count
25.7%(490)
34.2%(652)
16.0%(304)
10.9%(208)
13.1%(250)
100% (1904)
Table 5: My view of Chinese doing small business in my country isMost respondents viewed Chinese small business as providing help or problematic help to local economic development
Country
Table 5: My view of Chinese doing small business in my country is
helps with the local economic development
Helps, but is also a source of problems
for local people
Is not helpful to local economic development
generally harms the
interests of the local people
don't know Count
Botswana14.9% 43.8% 17.9% 17.4% 6.0% (235)
Egypt 24.0% 26.5% 21.4% 17.3% 10.7% (196)
Ethiopia 40.2% 40.7% 6.2% 7.7% 5.2% (194)
Ghana 45.2% 40.4% 8.0% 3.2% 3.2% (250)
Kenya 59.7% 24.5% 5.6% 7.1% 3.1% (196)
Nigeria 44.7% 28.4% 12.2% 8.1% 6.6% (197)
South Africa 24.4% 51.3% 6.1% 5.1% 13.2% (197)
Sudan 38.7% 28.4% 14.0% 10.7% 8.2% (243)
Zambia 13.8% 51.0% 18.4% 15.3% 1.5% (196)
Total %Total Count
34.0%(647)
37.2%(709)
12.2%(233)
10.2%(194)
6.4%(121)
100% (1904)
Table 6: China's policies in the continentIn seven of the nine countries -- the exceptions are Botswana and Zambia -- more people view China’s policies in Africa as generally or somewhat beneficial than otherwise
Country
Table 6: China's policies in the continent are
Generally beneficial somewhat beneficial
both beneficial & harmful
generally harmful don't know Count
Botswana
10.2% 23.0% 35.0% 11.1% 20.8% (226)
Egypt 16.8% 25.5% 39.8% 5.6% 12.2% (196)
Ethiopia 14.3% 41.8% 35.7% 3.6% 4.6% (196)
Ghana 14.4% 31.6% 26.0% 1.2% 26.8% (250)
Kenya 26.0% 38.0% 28.1% 3.1% 4.7% (192)
Nigeria 19.9% 31.1% 34.2% 3.1% 11.7% (196)
South Africa 6.1% 36.7% 29.6% 5.1% 22.4% (196)
Sudan 30.4% 37.5% 19.0% 5.1% 7.9% (253)
Zambia 12.2% 23.0% 50.0% 9.7% 5.1% (196)
Total %Total Count
16.9%(322)
32.0%(609)
32.5%(617)
5.3%(100)
13.3%(253)
100% (1901)
Table 7: China's policies in Africa compared with Western policiesIn all countries, more people view China’s policies in Africa as much more or somewhat more beneficial than Western policies
Country
Table 7: China's policies in Africa compared with Western policies are
much more beneficial to
Africa
somewhat more beneficial to
Africaabout the
same
somewhat more
harmful to Africa
much more harmful to
Africadon’t know Count
Botswana12.6% 26.9% 18.8% 9.4% 7.2% 25.1% (223)
Egypt 18.1% 29.0% 26.9% 7.8% 4.7% 13.5% (193)
Ethiopia 24.9% 40.6% 14.2% 6.6% 4.1% 9.6% (197)
Ghana 19.6% 19.6% 21.2% 3.2% .4% 36.0% (250)
Kenya 22.1% 36.9% 22.6% 9.2% 2.6% 6.7% (195)
Nigeria 15.2% 23.4% 17.8% 6.1% 7.1% 30.5% (197)
South Africa
3.1% 31.6% 35.2% 2.6% .0% 27.6% (196)
Sudan 46.4% 34.1% 6.3% 4.4% 3.2% 5.6% (252)
Zambia 13.8% 29.7% 30.3% 10.8% 3.1% 12.3% (195)
Total %Total Count
20.2%(384)
30.0%(569)
21.0%(398)
6.5%(124)
3.5%(67)
18.8%(356)
100% (1898)
Table 8: Satisfaction with Chinese companies that work on large projects in my country In all countries more people feel very satisfied or satisfied than dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with Chinese projects
Country
Table 8: Satisfaction with Chinese companies that work on large projects in my country
very satisfied satisfied neutral Dissatisfied very dissatisfied Count
Botswana
8.1% 23.0% 38.3% 21.6% 9.0% (222)
Egypt 17.3% 34.2% 31.1% 9.7% 7.7% (196)
Ethiopia 13.0% 54.4% 20.7% 9.3% 2.6% (193)
Ghana 8.9% 53.7% 32.5% 4.9% .0% (246)
Kenya 13.3% 55.6% 25.5% 5.1% .5% (196)
Nigeria 12.2% 44.4% 33.2% 9.2% 1.0% (196)
South Africa .6% 19.3% 79.5% .6% .0% (176)
Sudan 23.1% 48.6% 17.1% 7.2% 4.0% (251)
Zambia 8.2% 34.9% 34.9% 16.9% 5.1% (195)
Total %Total Count
12.0%(224)
41.4%(775)
33.8%(632)
9.5%(177)
3.4%(63)
100% (1871)
Table 9: Adaption of Chinese to the local society, compared to Westernersall countries except Zambia had more respondents who perceive Chinese as much more or somewhat more adapted than Westerners to local societies
Country
Table 9: Adaption of Chinese to the local society, compared to Westerners
Much more adapted
somewhat more adapted same
Somewhat less adapted
much less adapted
don't know Count
Botswana26.9% 22.0% 17.0% 13.9% 10.3% 9.9% (223)
Egypt 41.6% 30.5% 13.2% 2.0% 3.0% 9.6% (197)
Ethiopia 22.4% 30.6% 10.7% 16.8% 4.6% 14.8% (196)
Ghana 13.2% 27.2% 22.0% 14.4% 11.2% 12.0% (250)
Kenya 14.3% 26.5% 14.3% 23.5% 15.3% 6.1% (196)
Nigeria 15.7% 32.0% 29.4% 8.6% 7.6% 6.6% (197)
South Africa
34.2% 15.3% 38.3% .5% 1.0% 10.7% (196)
Sudan 33.1% 31.9% 9.6% 6.4% 11.6% 7.6% (251)
Zambia 14.8% 19.4% 9.7% 22.4% 26.5% 7.1% (196)
Total %Total Count
24.0% (457)
26.3% (500)
18.1%(344)
12.0%(228)
10.2%(194)
9.4%(179)
100% (1902)
Table 10: What is your impression of the Chinese present in your country? Majorities in all countries are impressed by Chinese as hardworking
Country
Table 10: What is your impression of the Chinese present in your country?
hardworking disciplined friendly Unfriendly Racistopportunity
seeker Selfishnot
social
not disciplined
Count
Botswana 64.1% 5.4% 4.0% 16.6% 5.4% 4.0% .0% .0% .4% (223)
Egypt 61.7% 15.3% 17.3% .5% 2.6% 2.6% .0% .0% .0% (196)
Ethiopia 87.2% 3.1% 4.6% 1.0% 1.0% 3.1% .0% .0% .0% (196)
Kenya 70.1% 6.2% 13.9% 6.7% 2.6% .5% .0% .0% .0% (194)
Nigeria 77.0% 8.7% 8.2% 2.0% 3.1% 1.0% .0% .0% .0% (196)
South Africa 74.0% 6.6% 18.9% .0% .0% .5% .0% .0% .0% (196)
Sudan 72.7% 20.2% 4.3% 1.6% .8% .0% .0% .4% .0% (253)
Zambia 75.4% 5.3% 4.8% 7.5% 4.3% 1.1% 1.6% .0% .0% (187)
Total %Total Count
72.6%(1192)
9.2%(151)
9.3%(152)
4.6%(75)
2.4%(40)
1.6%(26)
.2%(3)
.1%(1)
.1%(1)
100%(1641)
Table 11: What effect do you think China as a rising power will have on Africa? All nine countries have more people who think the rise of China as potentially very beneficial or beneficial to Africa than otherwise
Country
Table 11: What effect do you think China as a rising power will have on Africa?
potentially very beneficial
to Africa
potentially somewhat
beneficial to Africa
of no relevance to Africa
Potentially somewhat harmful to
Africa
Potentially very harmful
to Africadon't know Count
Botswana11.9% 34.4% 14.2% 9.6% 8.3% 21.6% (218)
Egypt 18.1% 34.7% 29.5% 5.7% 3.6% 8.3% (193)
Ethiopia 23.6% 41.5% 11.3% 7.7% 3.1% 12.8% (195)
Ghana 23.2% 42.4% 11.6% 7.2% 1.6% 14.0% (250)
Kenya 27.6% 48.4% 12.0% 6.3% 1.6% 4.2% (192)
Nigeria 19.9% 29.3% 19.9% 9.4% 2.6% 18.8% (191)
South Africa 5.6% 47.4% 1.5% 3.6% 3.6% 38.3% (196)
Sudan 35.1% 41.8% 9.6% 3.2% 4.8% 5.6% (251)
Zambia 17.7% 42.7% 17.7% 11.5% 1.6% 8.9% (192)
Total %Total Count
20.7%(389)
40.4%(758)
13.9%(261)
7.0%(132)
3.5%(65)
14.5%(273)
100%(1878)
Table 12: Some people say China practices neo-colonialism in Africa More people in Botswana, Zambia, and Egypt agree or strongly agree than disagree or strongly disagree that China practices neocolonialism in Africa. In six other countries, more disagree with this view.
Country
Table 12: Some people say China practices neo-colonialism in Africa
strongly agree agree neutral disagree strongly disagree don't know Count
Botswana15.1% 14.2% 23.6% 12.0% 7.6% 27.6% (225)
Egypt 11.7% 22.4% 31.1% 23.0% 3.6% 8.2% (196)
Ethiopia 6.2% 14.4% 25.8% 32.5% 13.4% 7.7% (194)
Ghana 2.4% 10.4% 28.0% 35.6% 6.8% 16.8% (250)
Kenya 6.2% 15.5% 26.9% 30.6% 10.9% 9.8% (193)
Nigeria 5.1% 10.8% 28.7% 24.6% 5.1% 25.6% (195)
South Africa 2.0% 4.1% 42.9% 29.1% 8.7% 13.3% (196)
Sudan 5.2% 8.7% 19.4% 43.7% 16.7% 6.3% (252)
Zambia 16.4% 25.4% 26.5% 19.0% 5.3% 7.4% (189)
Total %Total Count
7.7%(145)
13.7%(259)
27.8%(525)
28.3%(534)
8.8%(167)
13.8%(260)
100% (1890)
Table 13: Some people say increased Chinese migration would benefit AfricaNote that the question is put in terms of increased Chinese migration; those who disagree with that may still be fine with current levels of Chinese migration
Country
Table 13: Some people say increased Chinese migration would benefit Africa
Strongly agree Agree neutral disagree strongly disagree Count
Botswana
7.8% 9.6% 33.5% 25.7% 23.4% (218)
Egypt 9.7% 11.7% 26.5% 37.2% 14.8% (196)
Ethiopia 12.4% 26.3% 33.5% 22.2% 5.7% (194)
Kenya 13.0% 28.0% 30.6% 19.7% 8.8% (193)
Nigeria 8.6% 26.9% 39.6% 19.3% 5.6% (197)
South Africa.5% 13.3% 69.2% 13.8% 3.1% (195)
Sudan 9.1% 31.0% 21.8% 30.2% 7.9% (252)
Total %Total Count
8.7%(126)
21.2%(306)
35.8%(517)
24.3%(351)
10.0%(145)
100% (1445)
In 9 African Countries:• Variation mainly comes from country, not
demographic differences• Most consistently positive: Sudan, Ghana,
Ethiopia and Kenya• Most negative: Botswana and Zambia • In between: Nigeria, Egypt, and S. Africa.
In Tianjin, China:• Slightly less positive
Zambia
• Opposition Patriotic Front’s anti-Chinese campaign 2006 --
• The University of Zambia as opposition stronghold
• Zambian media heavily relies on Western media
• Botswana National Front and Botswana Congress Party MPs single out Chinese
• The University of Botswana faculty support for BNF
• Newspapers in Botswana owned or managed by whites with UK & SA ties
Botswana
Sudan
• $8 billion Chinese investment in energy industry
100,000 jobs in the energy sector
50% revenues to the Sudan government• Sale of arms by China criticized in Darfur, but not
generally in Sudan• Less influence by Western media• No sustained critique of China by opposition
Conclusion
• Western media representations of strong African resentment of China or Chinese not proved
• More appreciation of China’s role in Africa than Western role
• Future research: a wider range of countries and panel data with multiple dimensions over time
• Knowing African perspectives now essential to understanding China’s place in the world.