Alarm, China Is Taking Over Poor Africa!

Read an article recently that reported on China's unscrupulous arms deals with conflict ridden countries like Somalia and Ethiopia. The article explains that China thought it had it easy in Africa until a recent wave of attacks by sea proved otherwise. Somalian pirates backed by politicians within the country itself have been hijacking Chinese ships. Don't need to explain the entire article here. Frankly that aspect of the story doesn't affect my thoughts on China in the motherland


The point I want to make is that I find it interesting and almost hypocritical on the part of the western media that they suddenly care about how foreign governments conduct deals in Africa. Ever since China has shown increasing interest in the continent, western newspapers have bombarded readers with the risk Africa poses in the hands of the Asian giant. Reports that China seeks to exploit Africa and its supposed imperialist agenda towards the motherland are spread with the intent to create worry and concern among Africans and westerners with "fluffy" hearts. But is that really the motive behind these reports? Is it possible that perhaps western governments(which gets undying support from their media) is threatened by China's new "stronghold" in Africa? Is the United States, for example, threatened by China's emerging power? Or that there is another country who can treat Africa like a game of ping pong and in the process even beat them to it?


The truth is that the U.S or the media at large do not care about Africa or what happens there. If they did, they would make it a point to show a more balanced reporting of the continent. Instead of focusing on wars and starvation, they would also report developments that are occurring in places like Accra, Lagos, Johannesburg etc. They would showcase Africans making a difference in thier respective countries and once in a while, reveal beautiful images of people, buildings and landscape.


The media's sudden concern about China's motives in Africa is just another case of hogwash. Mr. media, pull the beam off your eyes first by reporting the U.S's slow response to the conflict in Darfur and Congo and how till today the United States continues to support unscrupulous leaders in various places in the motherland. At least China will look you in the eye and say they don't give a (you know what) about Africa. To them it's all business. This is something the U.S and the west at large do not have the guts to do.