sudanapg.org

• Introduction

On 21^st February 2008 the APPG on China, APPG on Africa and Associate Parliamentary Group on Sudan held a panel discussion on “China and Africa: A new era of ‘South-South cooperation’? Sudan/Darfur as a case study”. The event represented a unique opportunity to investigate in more depth China’s multi-faceted relationship with Africa, with a particular focus on China’s role in Sudan. The notes below are summaries of presentations and do not represent the views of the group.

Speakers included:

• Liu Guijin - China’s Special Representative on Darfur; ex-Ambassador to South Africa
• Du Qiwen - Vice Minister, Central Affairs Office of the Communist Party; ex-Director of the Department of African Affairs at the Ministry fro Foreign Affairs; ex-Ambassador to Kenya
• Dr Chris Alden - Senior Lecturer in International Relations at LSE and author of China in Africa

Du Qiwen focussed on broader themes relating to Sino-Africa relations, whilst Liu Guijin spoke about Sudan and his work in Darfur in particular. China’s economic and political presence in Africa and Sudan has burgeoned over the past five years. This has huge consequences for Africa and significant implications for western policy towards the continent. It has become a critical issue in negotiations over aid, development policy, ‘rogue regimes’ and energy security. China’s role in Sudan has also come under close scrutiny, with critics saying China has not done enough to end violence in the country.

An excerpt summary of the presentations is copied below. You can also listen to the meeting by following the links below:

China-Africa (Sudan) Audio 1

China-Africa (Sudan) Audio 2

China-Africa (Sudan) Audio 3

China-Africa (Sudan) Audio 4

China in Sudan

• The policy of the Chinese government in Sudan

The policy of the Chinese government is to work together with the international community, including the UN and the AU, to seek a solution based on the following principles:

• The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan will be respected

• The tripartite mechanisms of dialogue and consultations with the Sudanese government have proved effective

• Equal importance should be attached to the hybrid operation and to the political process

• Reconstruction and development efforts in Darfur should start soon, because without development there the other solutions can not last long

• China’s actions in Sudan

The Chinese government has tried its best to engage with the government of Sudan and to urge greater flexibility with regards to meeting the requests and concerns of the international community. The UN Security Council resolution authorising the deployment of the hybrid operation was passed when the Chinese occupied Chair.

The Chinese government has also provided practical assistance:

• A commitment to send 315 multi-purpose engineer recruits, 140 of which have already been deployed. The joint special representative of the hybrid operation, Rodolphe Adada, is reportedly very satisfied with the effective work of the first group. The remaining 175 engineers are ready to start and await the green light from the United Nations Security Council

• The provision of humanitarian assistance to Darfur on various occasions, worth US$10 million, with more to follow this year starting with Liu Guijin’s trip when he will deliver the next batch

• The drilling of 46 bore holes to supply water in northern and southern Darfur

• Chinese companies are constructing 18 power stations

• The commencement of a project to supply water to Nyala area which is in good progress, with a US$15 million soft loan from the Chinese government

• The completion of a water container, with 85 long pipes being laid

• A planned water supply project for El Fasher which will cost US$2 million

• A clinic and a rural school will also be set up, with additional make-up classrooms provided to 120 schools for IDPs

• A power station will be build near the flood area, with the aim of supplying enough electricity to cover the Darfur region

A key stance of the Chinese government is that one of the root causes of the Darfur conflict is the struggle for scare resources. Therefore the Chinese government and construction companies have been there for several years, and aim to speed up the process of water supply further.

• Conflict in Sudan

There has been an escalation of armed conflict between the government troops and some of the resistance forces, particularly in the western Darfur region which borders Chad, with periodic attacks on AU-UN humanitarian convoys. A solution to the conflict requires a concerted effort by the international community, of which the rapid deployment of the hybrid operation contributes towards addressing the problem.

There are still some technical problems, some of which are being solved. The tripartite regional agreement, signed by the Minister of Foreign affairs of Sudan, Deng Alor, and the joint representative of the hybrid operation, Rodolphe Adada on the 9^th of February marks a small step in settling access for the hybrid operation (Status of Forces Agreement).

However, in order to make the hybrid operation effective and operational at least 25 helicopters are needed, six of which will be attack helicopters. No country has volunteered to contribute this vital equipment (although Jordan indicated they could contribute, these helicopters are too old and unqualified for the operation). In addition, no country has volunteered to contribute a transport battalion, which would face a very dangerous and risky task [since this presentation, four suitable helicopters have been offered by Ethiopia].

Furthermore, there appears to be some misunderstanding on behalf of President El Bashir about the role and functions of UNAMID which may have contributed to the problems delaying the full deployment of the force. The removal of such misapprehensions could contribute towards removing restrictions on deployment.

• Liu Guijin’s approach to his forthcoming visit to Sudan

Darfur desperately needs a holistic approach, which means the government of Sudan, the resistance movements, neighbouring countries, the international community, the AU and the UN need to work together. The role of the Chinese Special Representative to Darfur is crucial in consulting with important stakeholders, which is why he is travelling to the UK, Sudan and Chad. The representative should not act as a mediator between Chad and Sudan, but will give advice, particularly in urging the governments of Chad and Sudan to restore good neighbourliness.

There is no way to solve the problems in Sudan through military means alone, and the office of the representative will meet with colleagues to try to work together to seek a political solution, through negotiations and dialogues. There are some differences in approaches among partners, for example towards sanctions and how to apply pressure on the Government of Sudan. This pressure is important, but it would be better to engage with the government positively to preserve its dignity. It is necessary to constantly reach out to the legitimate concerns of the Sudanese government whilst point out its wrong actions in order to generate the patience to work together and try to solve the problem though political means.

On his trip, the delegation will talk to Chad and Sudan directly and emphasize that the deterioration of the situation in Chad will have a direct impact on the situation in Sudan. Because the resistance movements sometimes appear in Sudan and sometimes in Chad, if they are not engaged in a political process the hybrid forces will encounter difficulties. A practical and long-term solution must be prioritised, beyond the approach and attitudes generated by the media, including building by building trust with the Sudanese by treating them as equals.

A solution to the issues in Sudan serves the interests of all parties, and China is open to all packages and proposals that can solve the problem, including support for the EU force. China is willing to cooperate with all parties, and appreciates the efforts made by British NGOs and the UK government to ease the suffering of the Sudanese people.

China and International Relations

• China’s international role

• China has become an important engine for world economic growth, contributing over 10% to world economic growth in recent years. In 2007 China’s contribution surpassed that of the US for the first time, reaching 17%.

• China has been a major driving force for global trade: from 2003 - 2006 more than 15% of global trade growth has been attributed to China, the same level as that of the US

• Last year China’s total trade volume reached US$2.1 trillion, with an increase of 23.5%

• In the coming years, China will import over US$1 trillion worth of goods every year, and the Chinese government has worked hard to attain a basic balance of trade with policy measures to keep its trade surplus from growing too fast

• Over 400 out of the world top 500 business have invested in China so far, with more than half of China’s export of industrial products made by foreign invested businesses inside China. Foreign invested businesses had close to US$300 billion worth of profits transferred from China

China will sustain its current momentum of fast growth by mainly relying on itself and achieving development through expanding domestic demand in meeting people’s increasing material and cultural needs. It will deepen reform, open wider to the outside world, gradually remove institutional obstacles, and provide strong driving forces for modernization.

• China‘ peaceful development

China will strive to foster a peaceful international environment that enables China to develop itself through reform and innovation, whilst at the same time remaining committed to opening up to the outside world. As China develops itself, it can do more to promote world peace. Its aim is to share development opportunities and meet challenges together with other countries and advance the cause of world peace and development.

On this basis:

• Socialism with distinctive Chinese features is socialism that develops the productive forces domestically and promotes world peace externally
• China is opposed to any form of hegemonism and power politics and China will never seek hegemony or engagement in expansion
• China will remain committed to the opening up strategy of win-win progress and will never seek benefits for itself at the expense of others or shift its troubles onto other countries

In other words, China will not engage in a colonialist or imperialist approach. Instead:

• With major countries, seek to strengthen strategic dialogue, enhance mutual trust, and expand cooperation for the purpose of maintaining global strategic stability
• With neighbours, China follows the policy of friendship and partnerships and works to enhance good neighbourly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with them, and actively supports regional cooperation
• Actively participates in settling international and regional hotspot issues and plays a constructive role in seeking a peaceful solution to the Korean nuclear issue, Iranian nuclear issue and the Darfur issue. China takes an active part in international cooperation on counter-terrorism, arms control and disarmament, climate change, and environmental protection.

• A scientific outlook on development

The scientific outlook on development was first put forward in 2003 as an important guideline for China’s economic and social development, with its core element of putting people first and stressing that development should bring a better life to the 1.3 billion Chinese people. Development must be comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable, covering not only economy, but also political, cultural, social and ecological fields.

A scientific outlook on development emphasizes the importance of balance between development in urban and rural areas, between different regions, between economic and social development, between domestic development and opening up, and between economic growth and environmental protection.

China’s perspective is that it remains a developing country with a large population, poor economic foundation and low productivity. Though China’s total economic size is large, its per capita GDP ranks after the 100^th place in the world. To achieve modernisation, China still has a long way to go. As countries become increasingly interdependent in today’s world, the success of China is itself a contribution to the cause of global peace and development. Likewise, should there be any major setback in China’s development, the impacts would not be limited to China.

China in Africa

China has diplomatic relations with 49 of the 53 countries in Africa, and good cooperation with them in political, economic and cultural areas. China-African relations started in the beginning years of African countries independence or in the course of their struggle for independence. The China-Africa summit which took place at the end of 2006 was attended by the heads of state or governments of 48 countries.

Before the EU-Africa summit in Lisbon in December 2007, Louis Michel, the EU commissioner, said that the world had changed and Africa had changed, and that it was time that European countries changed their views about Africa and their relationships with the continent. He also said that one way of handling or viewing EU-Africa relationships were out of date - it is time for the EU to treat African countries as equal and cooperative partners.

• Sino-African relations

Ties between China and Africa have been long standing, but from the public perspective they are being defined through the prism of Sudan and its relation with Sudan. China has a very broad reach in Africa with a diversity of relations. It aims to be and in many ways is becoming Africa’s leading development partner, which is reflective in the trade statistics: it is number three or possibly even number two as the largest trading partner with Africa.

The nature of China’s relationship with Africa is changing the terms of the continent’s relations with the rest of the world, including traditional partners in Europe and the US, the World Bank and similar organisations, and even civil society actors and non-governmental organisations. At the centre of this is its no-political-conditions mantra, though the Darfur situation represents a break of some kind with that. This engagement is comprehensive: China offers a total package that ties in high profile diplomacy, large grants, large loans, and development assistance. It is also must faster off the mark than equivalent moves by the west. Furthermore, Chinese migration into the continent is changing the terms of these relationships on a community level.

The China-African summit, rather than a beginning, is the end of the first phase of a new engagement with Africa, as we enter a consolidation phase. This phase is now concerned with securing China’s established interests in the continent, which are wide ranging and pose different sorts of dilemmas. For example, the AU has played an important role in encouraging China to rethink its policy. Secondly, the concerns about Chinese labour are from African sources, and have been a part of what China has had to respond to in its efforts to build long term and sustainable partnerships in Africa. Thirdly, there is the unexpected triangulation of its policy in Africa - ties could not be defined solely between China and Africa, but the west including Europe and the United States have all played a role in shaping and responding to China’s surge and its increasing role on the continent, with the result that China has had to tailor its foreign policy towards the continent in response to not just African concerns, but those of other foreigners.

Finally, the question must also be asked whether the issues here relate to China-Africa dilemmas, or rather African governance dilemmas, with frictions caused by poor governance such as a lack of enforcement of their own regulations and laws.

• China’s investment in Africa

China was one of the first countries to forgive debts of African countries and has made substantive contributions in this regard with two large scale actions:

• In 2000 China forgave a total of 10.9 billion RMB of debt from African countries, accounting for two thirds of total debt due from African countries to China
• At the China-African summit in Beijing a year and a half ago, the Chinese government forgave all the debts owed by LDCs and HIPCs from African countries that matured by the end of 2005.

The president of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick, noted that China had made remarkable achievements in reducing poverty in China, and also that China’s cooperation with Africa had made important contributions to poverty reduction in Africa.

It has not been long since Chinese companies started to enter Africa and the size of their projects is still small. These companies should have conducted in depth studies and visibility studies with their host governments, basing cooperation on strict principles.

With regards to the employment of Chinese labour and developing local capacity, the Chinese government encourages Chinese companies to employ more local people and contribute towards improving living standards. Because of the increase of living standards and salaries at home in China, it would not be a wise choice to bring or send too much of a Chinese work force to China. Furthermore, the Chinese government has heard that aid projects of Chinese corporations have delivered tangible benefits to African countries, where as some of the projects carried out by developed countries can have a substantial proportion of budgets spent on salaries, with less tangible benefits.