WEB EXCLUSIVE: What fuels China's Africa policy
Heidi Kingstone on the motivation behind China's relations with Africa
Steven Spielberg’s conscience finally got the better of him. The Oscar-winning director resigned as ‘artistic adviser’ to the upcoming 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics last night. His “energy”, he said, “must be spent on doing all I can to help bring an end to the unspeakable crimes against humanity that continue to be committed in Darfur.”
It is ‘energy’ that is at the root of all this commotion. China buys about two-thirds of Sudan’s oil exports.
Eighteen months ago, in November 2006, China hosted a two-day summit for 48 African leaders, a symbolic moment signalling how important Africa is as a partner in China’s rampant development, but the relationship between Africa and China is not new. It began with the Chinese ‘offer of friendship’ at the 1955 Bandung Conference, and even before that in the 15th century when Zheng He sailed to the Horn of Africa.
More articles from: Heidi Kingstone | this section
Post this entry to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
Advertisement
Glasgow East is Brown’s dirty little secret: a hideous, costly social experiment gone wrong
Fraser NelsonFraser Nelson reviews the week in politics
The Spectator's Notes
Charles MooreCharles Moore's reflections on the week
Some advice for Brown’s second year: find a John Reid and bring back Charles Clarke
Steve RichardsSteve Richards reviews the week in politics
The UN is not the Holy See
The Spectator on intervening in Zimbabwe
Conquering heroes
TakiTaki lives the High Life
Business as usual with the Burmese generals
Elliot WilsonElliot Wilson explains why international condemnation of Burma’s brutal military leaders is so ineffectual: because many other countries are eager to do deals with them
Latest blog posts
sponsored links
Sky - Official Site
Build your own Sky package online. Sky TV, Broadband & Talk only £16.
Sky TV, Broadband & Talk from £16 a Month
Sky TV & free broadband packages available from £16 a month. Choose from a standard free sky box, sky plus or sky hd.
Britannia - Weekend Breaks Across the UK
Choose from a full range of fantastic weekend getaways across the UK with Britannia Hotels. Book online for deals on seasonal entertainment, leisure breaks and much more.
Sky - Official Site
Build your own Sky package online. Sky TV, Broadband & Talk only £16.
Sky TV, Broadband & Talk from £16 a Month
Sky TV & free broadband packages available from £16 a month. Choose from a standard free sky box, sky plus...
ROME CENTRE
PORTA METRONIA, ROME Standing high on the top of one of the seven hills of Rome- the Coelian- this unique
City Breaks. ROME and PARIS
ROME and PARIS: over 350 holiday rentals apartments listed: visit www.romanreference.com and www.parisreference.com or call +39 0648 903612.
Jewellery. RUFFS (Estd. 1904).
Goldsmiths by Design Welcome to Ruffs! You have found a company of Goldsmiths that specialises in the manufacture, amongst other
Spectator Business | Apollo Magazine
Corporate | Advertising | Privacy | Terms
Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9HP
All Articles and Content Copyright ©2008 by The Spectator | All Rights Reserved
David Parker
February 13th, 2008 6:51pmI probably speak from a geriatric generation, however, it was once (as late as the 1970s) a publicly admitted objective of Chinese communist leaders, that their ultimate goal was the imposition of world wide Chinese political ideology. Needless to say, the nature of that ideology itself may have changed somewhat over the intervening years, but not their underlying ambition or determination. Unlike Western politicians or diplomats, most of whom are always loooking for a "quick resolution", the Chinese temperament tends, patiently, to favour the long term view, even if this may extend well beyond their own individual personal political influence or careers.
Jo
February 13th, 2008 9:54pmWhat are our interests in the Sudan?