ARTICLE: China 'toxic for Africa freedom', BBC, 13 February 2008
This is going to haunt China far more than getting caught doing industrial espionage in Silicon Valley.
But deep down, I am glad to see the abuse and its growing profile. Faster we spot negative Chinese influence on local govs (they do bad things thinking it won't matter cause Chinese don't care), the sooner China is confronted by international media on the subject.
This is where our lack of strategic dialogue with China on Africa hurts us. This is where, Gen. Kip Ward, of Africom, needs to say to Chinese: "I want to cooperate with you on stability in Africa, but I can't let this sort of stuff build up, otherwise it'll look bad for me and I'll make it bad for you."
Absent quiet confrontation, China will continue this behavior. Thus we have to start working with them to raise the bar.
(Thanks: Matthew Garcia)
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