ALEX B HILL - Alex B. Hill discusses the new phenomenon of Chinese migrant workers relocating to Africa. This, Hill argues, is not as surprising as it seems; trade between the two powers existed as early as the 15th century. Hill also summarizes the communist Chinese government’s support of African nationalist movements in the ‘50s and ‘60s. He speculates that the aim of this new wave of migration, supported by the China Export-Import Bank, is to assure China’s grip on Africa’s resources and markets.
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ALEX THURSTON - Alex Thurston views China’s African investments as a new model for first world involvement in developing nations. Conceding that China’s interest in Africa is partially neocolonial, he argues that its practices of cultural exchange and debt forgiveness will lead to net improvements for Africa. Thurston discounts the argument that China ignores African humanitarian crises, maintaining that other world powers have similar track records. He believes that China’s ability to foster a spirit of partnership with African countries is an important foreign policy lesson for America.
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GRETCHEN L WILSON - Gretchen L. Wilson investigates how an influx of Chinese immigrants (and accompanying cheap products of labor) is damaging local businesses in Lesotho. While Chinese immigrants are a small minority of Lesotho’s population, they are its most prosperous business-owning community. This has led to a wave of anti-Chinese sentiment; which culminated in a May 2007 riot targeting Chinese vendors. Documenting Africa’s history of forcibly expelling Asian immigrants perceived as threat to homegrown businesses, Wilson notes that most Chinese immigrants still feel at home in Lesotho.
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