Is this for real? http://allafrica.com/stories/200809080224.html Uganda: Chinese Firm to Build Rakai Free Trade Zone Mikaili Sseppuya Kampala — PARADISE International Investment Ltd (China) is to invest $1.5b in Lake Victoria Free Trade Zone to be known as Ssesamirembe Eco-City in Rakai district. The deal signed between Paradise and the Kagera Eco-Cities last month, will be the single largest private investment in East Africa, according to a statement released last week. Companies operating in this zone will be exempt from paying income custom, corporate income and value added taxes. Relevant Links The release said the Government authorised Kagera Eco-Cities Limited to construct the city which was also granted municipality powers and a governance charter ensuring red tape and corruption free administration. Eco-City has the power to enact ordinances that are in harmony with the Constitution to ensure that development is controlled and occurs in an ecologically-friendly and orderly manner," it said. Key projects include International Airport, Airport City, Lake Port City and Barges/Container Ships, Lake Victoria Casino Hotels, International China-Africa Friendship Universit and an international finance centre.
That's a very, very large investment for that region. I wonder what's behind it all? Profits, obviously, but what else? Natural resources? Why build the huge (for that part of Africa) city and the rest of it, otherwise? Political influence as well as "locking up" what resources that can be grasped, sure, but does China really need to build something on this scale (if it ever gets built) during this uncertain economic period? I know China takes the long view, but there is a lot on China's plate competing for what this project will cost. One can mine the resources without the "trappings." Interesting.
Huge mistake by China. Colonization does not work it cause a econimic problems and if the people of Uganda are against it you could see China in a future military crisis.
If this news is true, they are using a company as a front to do this. This idea is eerily similar to Brits' East India Company.
Your colonialism metaphor is weak at best. This is a bilateral agreement not one power imposing its will by forcing itself on the other. This is in no way, shape, or form even comparable to what the British did when they actually colonized Uganda. Unless your goal here is just to bash China for doing what any state in its position would do, which would make this thread understandable. This is actually positive news as far as tourism, economic development, and commerce are concerned for the Great Lakes region of Africa. If you want a modern day example of colonialism in action, please go see what the Israelis are doing to the Palestinians.
I have been predicting for the past few years now that the entirety of sub-saharan Africa, save for a few major ones like Nigeria, will effectively fall under hegemonic domination by China. Many of those countries will become so beholden to China they will only be 'sovereign' in name. It probably is still a decade or so away, but at the rate China is going it will be a reality soon enough. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome China to the neo-imperialist club. As with all things, it will be a 'sweet ride' at the beginning, then you will wear out your welcome and the natives will, sooner or later, scream exploitation and colonialism, decry your presence mobilize to resist you. It is OK though, for the fruits of empire far outweigh its costs and its headaches. And unlike democracies, you can be much more efficient with it for you need not pander to voters or special interest, and you have a cultural might that is simply lacking in the West, namely your well entrenched ethno-nationalism and strongly held belief that the glory of the nation is above all else, including individual liberty. I have every confidence that you can match or at least outdo the old Soviet machinery that Stalin created and sustained. You have that much more manpower and potential, and you are no stranger to record setting performances. Don't let the naysayers or the humanists hold you back, for there is one and only one constant in the entire history of man: those who can will, right? Cheers!
If the Chinese walked into Uganda and forced the government to sign away all its wealth under force of arms, you might have a point. As it is, I'd say Uganda has its first decent shot at doing business with an economic power. Decent as in the profits are probably split closer to 50-50 instead of the usual 90-10, or 100-0 lol
u make it sound like they're sending in troops. it's only a 1.5 billion dollar investment which only made news on this board because of our center. i suppose any foreign investment should be considered colonialism too? Thyssenkrupp is making a 4+ billion dollar steel factory in Alabama. Hyundai, Toyota, all have 1+ billion dollar investments in the South too. i mean seriously, Stalin? or maybe my sarcasm meter is way off=)
That's a terrible example of colonialism. It's a horrible situation, but it's not a colonial situation.
Yup, it is our turn. Isael is doing it old school. China will try a new route where the opium war should be avoided.
Damn I knew it! You're a Chinese and you freaking hate Yao, or maybe you're the biggest fraud on this board!
I guess I am starting to get under your skin. Funny that all it took were a couple of posts in one China thread, despite the fact that none of my posts were 'anti-China' in tone. I was merely painting the picture as is, not as it ought to be. That is just my personal view of the world, I am a real politik kinda guy. Yet you have taken offense to it for whatever reason. But that is OK, it seems like I am not the only one here who thinks not so highly of you. And that thread was pure comedy, thanks to Kingcheetah and Samfisher. Maybe we should have more China thread after all?
i think comparing China to Stalin, "imperialism" is sort of being "anti-China". I also don't see how "painting the picture as is" and "just my personal view of the world" go hand-in-hand. None of us on this board tell it "as is". Anything political is subjective. Don't try to pretend that you are not subjective like the rest of us
Well then debate it on its merits. I understand power politics is relative and difficult to quantify, so everyone will disagree on that. All I tried to do was analyze one event (the south china sea confrontation) in that context. As for Stalin, I know he is seen as a monster in much of the Western world, and he was undoubtedly one of the most brutal dictators in modern history, but my reference of Stalin was more geared towards his accomplishments in building a modern Russian empire, and mostly in unifying a nation towards a single goal, which despite the costs I would argue served Russia best at that point of its history. At least from my understanding of history and the circumstances in the homeland at that point of time, I think Stalin was a necessary evil for the Russian nation. In a sense, Chairman Mao served that role in your cultural revolution. It came at a great cost in terms of life and limb, but it was a necessary evil, I think most Chinese would agree to that. So no, at least from my perspective, a Stalin reference, in that context, was not intended to be anti-China in any shape or form. I hope I clarified that part a bit. As for neo-imperialism, I think it is a natural progression of power. ALL truly powerful nations have exercised neo-imperialism (or its more evil cousin, imperialism) in one form or another. It could be economic exploitation or something else, it comes in many forms and many colors. If you can you will, it is as simple as that. To claim that somehow China lacks those ambitions is an 'unnatural' claim that is disproved at almost every junction of history. China will, eventually, dominate its neighbors in one way or another. You don't have to send troops to do it, in fact it is very rare that troops are deployed to flex a nation's muscles. Countries just know that you are 'there', they fear your potential, and mostly desire your friendship and support, or even protection. That is what Uganda is doing, I doubt it is just about 'business'. You don't effectively give up a chunk of your territory to a foreign power so it can build a colony that operates as a de facto autonomous entity/territory, with its own set of laws and its own set of benefits. So lets get real here. It is not just Uganda, China is all over the world now carving up its own share of the pie in the mostly developing/underdeveloped world, where the U.S. (that other neo-imperial force) has little to no influence or interest. I don't see why China or Chinese citizens would be touchy about the rising Chinese influence in the world. It is a natural phenomenon.
I'm actually a descendent of Nationalist army officers and rich landlords who fled to Taiwan in 1949 Believe me, I don't think the PRC is anymore benevolent than the next government but I don't think this mutual agreement in East Afrfica comes anywhere close to Euro-style colonialism. There you also had some sort Christian influenced moral duty to go kill and convert heathens - or even buy and sell them as slaves. You do know that China welcomed foreign investment as part of it's rise from the economic basement. To me, the situations are vastly different. Not one African has died by the hands of a Chinese soldier and none will. No where in the article is it suggested that the Lake Victoria Free Trade zone is under Chinese rule. It is an economic-development zone which probably means tax-free, subsidies, and stricter police presence to lure foreign investment. It worked for China. Hopefully it can work here too. Did China actually cede control to foreign powers in these economic zones? No. Fomr the looks of it - same thing here. I'm pretty sure the locals residing in the zone will have high per-capita GDPs than their countrymen. Your attitude about Chinese "touchiness" sort of reflects the feelings or ignorance(?) of the West in general and leads to a lot of resentment. As a nation that was almost divided up and colonized by European and Japanese powers, where "No Dogs and Chinese allowed" signs were hung up outside Shanghai cafes, where the Opium trade was forced down their throats by British gunboats, etc. etc. - you should understand why the Chinese are extremely proud of their country's rise and see Western denouncement as a hypocracy. That is a very valid reason for "touchiness". Does it give them some moral "free pass" on everything they do? No of course not. Can I understand Chinese annoyance with a West they see as hypocritical? Yes.
