Foreign and Military Affairs

Western comments on China-Africa ties 'misplaced'

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-27 22:26

LONDON - Some western commentators' critical comments concerning China's burgeoning relationship with Africa are "largely misplaced," says a Financial Times editorial.

Wednesday's editorial - "China's new scramble for Africa" - said Western-led development strategies, however well meaning, did not break the cycle of under-development in Africa. Chinese investments, made for sound business reasons and boosting employment and growth, offer new hope and an alternative way forward, the editorial said.

The infrastructure that the Chinese are building will also have positive spin-off effects for industries outside of natural resources. Chinese traders have brought cheap consumer goods to Africa. And, as labor costs rise at home, Chinese manufacturers may look at Africa with new interest, as a base for production, the editorial said.

To the Western countries that uphold the spirit of competition, there's no reason to complain about China's strengthening its relationship with Africa, the editorial said.

One reason that African governments often love doing business with the Chinese is that they are much less likely to condition their investments on improvements in government, and the pragmatic attitude of the Chinese government should be appreciated, the editorial said.