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Africa-China Business & Investment Networking Event

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okra eXpress hosted The Africa – China Business & Investment Networking Event, on 22^nd May 2008 at The Foreign Press Association, Pall Mall, London. (The home of a former British Prime Minister, William Gladstone). The event brought together business professionals, diplomats, industry experts and investors.

Event Overview

In November 2006 the China - Africa Summit in Beijing saw heads of government of 48 African countries take part in the Forum on China - Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that signalled a new and dynamic relationship between China and Africa.

China's trade with Africa increased from $10 billion in 2000 to $50billion in 2006 to make it the third largest trading partner with Africa after the United States and France. There has indeed been much global debate about China's interest in Africa's oil and other resources, minerals, timber, and agricultural products. Oil is beijing's first concern and 31% of China's oil requirements are now sourced in Africa. Angola has become China's largest foreign oil supplier, passing Saudi Arabia in 2006, while The Sudan is its second African source, with 65% of that country's oil export going to China. China multiplied contracts, aid packages and partnership ventures with a number of oil producing African states, namely, Gabon, Angola, Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Congo and The Sudan.

In his recent review of Chris Alden's book, China in Africa, Guy Arnold, a commentator on African affairs, said in his review: "Apart from resources and trade, the Chinese see their activities in Africa as an entirely justifiable power play in relations to the West and it is hypocritical of the West, given its own history on the continent to react as though China is exploiting Africa. Africans, not the West will determine the nature and depth of China's engagement in their affairs".  

Apart from tackling questions about China's "no strings attached" aid to Africa, the event also looked at the use of low - cost Chinese labour and skills in Africa. Respectable, senior diplomats, Dr. Khalid Al Mubarak, Media Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of The Sudan, in London,  and Mr. Carlos Alberto, Political Counsellor, Republic of Angola Embassy, in London, provided insights into their countries' relationship with China.

The Event was chaired by Mr. Dan Large, Research Director at The Africa - Asian Centre at The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), an influential University that cuts a slice across the continent. Dan co-edited the book, China Returns to Africa: A Rising Power and a Continent Embrace, (London, Hurst, 2008).

You will find the China Returns to Africa Book blurb below.

Chian Returns to Africa - A Superpower And A Continent Embrace