Is China Losing Their Colonialist Grasp On Africa?

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to identify whether China’s “colonialist” grasp on Africa is on the decline. This research is important because China and Africa’s business relationship is a multibillion operation and if this relationship was ever to waver in any shape or form, then opportunities could arise for other countries around the world. The research was collected utilizing different databases, which consisted of scholarly research relating to this topic. For many years China has kept close relations with the different African countries and has been Africa’s biggest trading partner since 2009, surpassing the United States. Because of China’s thirst for natural resources, they have turned their attention to Africa in order to acquire some them of their crude oil, raw materials, and their abundant supply of natural resources. Since the late 1990s when China started to rapidly modify their business strategy with Africa, they have since been called “the new colonialists” because of this never-ending thirst for resources they are unable to produce on their own, and as a result, both China and Africa have benefitted significantly. Africa’s economy has improved greatly in the years since China became fully immersed in the continent, and the African middle class is increasing as well due to this fact. Although in recent years relations between the two have become cautious due to many factors. The Chinese workers in Africa have been demanding larger wages, while the African people and businesses are starting to mistrust the Chinese. Thus, resulting in protest and even violence, as well as protests also within China because of the large consumption of resources Chinese companies have consumed. This has contributed to China’s already existing environmental issues. Both sides are working diligently to figure out solutions to these problems, and this research aids in explaining whether those efforts are in vain or not.