Jeffrey Sachs is an advisor to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Sachs thinks that China can make a huge difference in Africa for several reasons.
1. China knows how to use high-yield seeds
2. China has experience with maximum effective use of irrigation
3. China has developed fertilizer
These three employed together could triple agricultural production in Africa according to Sachs.
Additionally, China "gives fewer lectures" than the West.
"Roads get built, bridges get built, the health care gets expanded" without the lecturing, Sachs says.
China does have a way of not mixing politics with aid...some say.
But, have Chinese arm sales had an effect on conflicts in Africa?
Has China ignored international labor standards while seeking African energy and minerals.
Has China employed African nationals?
What China has done is increase trade with Africa from $3 billion in 1999 to nearly $40 billion last year.
Good, bad or indifferent?
What do you think?
I feel that africa should take whatever help they can recieve at this point, the whole of africa is still in pretty badd shape compared to the surrounding countries economies in that region. although, the ignoring of labor standards by china will not go without consquences.
It'll be foolish of china if they think they can getaway with such practices in africa.
Posted by: Jose Moran | August 29, 2006 9:40 AM | Permalink to Comment