【新唐人2014年05月07日訊】中共總理李克強5月4號開始非洲四國之行。近年,中國公司跟非洲當地人衝突不斷。李克強臨行前承認中非關係面臨問題,在非洲的中國公司正遭遇「成長的煩惱」。外媒評論說,中共在非洲的所作所為帶有「殖民主義」意味。
李克強週日在啟程非洲前,先對非洲當地2,500多家中國公司喊話,要他們嚴格遵守當地的法律、法規,對工程、商品質量及消費者負責,還要對當地社區和環境「承擔應盡的責任」。
《美聯社》報導披露,圍繞著中國公司在非洲被指控建築粗製濫造、不尊重當地勞工和其他法律方面問題,中國公司在當地已引發緊張。有指控說,中共在這裡無所不在的影響,已有相當的「殖民主義」意味。
英國《路透社》則報導說,隨著中共尋求擴大獲取石油和銅等關鍵商品的渠道,中國企業在非洲大筆投資基礎設施、礦業和能源項目。一些中國公司被控不公平對待當地僱員。而位於乍得和尼日爾的兩個中國投資項目,石油工人三月份罷工,抗議不平等薪資。
2009年,中國取代美國,成為非洲最大的貿易夥伴,但是北京被控阻礙非洲大陸的經濟發展,專注於追求原材料,而不是創造當地的就業和市場。
美國「紐約城市大學」政治學教授夏明指出,從60年代開始,中共就跟非洲建立起緊密的關係,當時,中共面臨蘇、美兩國夾擊,為了擺脫自己的孤立地位,所以跟第三世界國家,尤其是非洲走的很近。當時中共通過無償援助,在非洲開闢了外交戰線。
美國紐約城市大學政治學教授夏明:「中國(中共)今天把非洲更多的看成是中國所需要的食品和能源的供應基地。我們看到中國在非洲進行的活動主要是集中在資源的開發。所以這種對非洲資源的攫取,恐怕跟西方傳統的做法又沒有甚麼區別了。」
第二次世界大戰之後,西方國家已經逐漸擺脫帝國主義,轉而更多關心非洲的人權、民主以及可持續性發展。
夏明:「我們看到,中國在非洲的發展戰略——殖民主義傾向,尤其在國際大背景下,顯得更為突出。所以我們就看到,中國在非洲的投資建廠,它基本上是全部從中國這邊,不僅是輸出原料,輸出資本,而且從中國輸出勞工。這樣中國在非洲的投資基本上跟當地的經濟就沒有融合的這麼緊,它相反建立一個獨立的王國,跟當地老百姓造成許多衝突。」
《美聯社》報導,去年贊比亞政府沒收了一家由中國公司運營的煤礦控制權,因為中國經理沒有回應贊比亞當局,對安全、健康和環境擔憂的相關問題。
而2010年,一起勞工糾紛中,兩名來自中國的煤礦經理被控槍擊礦工,在後來的衝突當中,又有一名中國工人被殺,兩人受傷。
夏明表示,中國公司跟當地人的紛爭,反映出中共跟非洲的關係有許多矛盾,尤其是非洲本土居民認為,中共實行掠奪性政策,不顧當地資源,也不顧當地經濟可持續性發展,甚至給當地造成二元經濟,所以當地許多人認為,中共在非洲的擴張投資帶有「新殖民主義」色彩。
中共聲稱在非洲奉行的政策是不干涉別國內政。夏明指出,中共跟非洲許多專制國家包括蘇丹、安哥拉、尼日利亞有很多投資合作項目。
夏明:「這裡邊有許多跟當地政府官員其實都是通過行賄、受賄,跟當地官員進行私下勾兌,給國家機器澆上潤滑油,它能夠進行運作。所以中國在跟非洲的合作中,必定面臨一個很重要的問題,在於中國跟非洲許多國家都是不透明的,治理體系都非常腐敗的。」
夏明表示,中共很多高級官員,包括前四川省委副書記李春城的下臺,都跟非洲援建計劃和提供非洲優惠貸款裡面出現的腐敗有關。在這種情況下,中共跟非洲的合作,其中結構性的腐敗,顯然不是李克強對中國在非洲的公司喊話所能解決的。
採訪編輯/秦雪 後製/李勇
Li Keqiang Admits To Experiencing Growing Pains in Africa Investment
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang began his four-nation tour
in Africa on May 4.
In recent years, Chinese companies in Africa have had
many conflicts with locals.
Prior to his departure, Li acknowledged the investment
in Africa is experiencing growing pains.
Foreign media referred to it as ‘colonialism’
by the Communist regime.
Before leaving China, Li urged the 2,500 Chinese companies
in the continent to, “strictly abide by local laws
and regulations, hold themselves accountable for the quality
of their projects and goods and to consumers, and ‘shoulder
due responsibility’ for local communities and the
environment", according to the official Xinhua News Agency.
Associated Press reported that, “tensions exist around
allegations of shoddy construction and a lack of respect for
employment and other local laws."
“China has also faced allegations that its pervasive influence
has more than a whiff of colonialism about it", said AP.
Reuters also reported that, “Chinese enterprises have spent
heavily on infrastructure, mining and energy projects in Africa
as the country seeks to expand its access to supplies of vital
commodities such as oil and copper.
Chinese firms have been accused of treating
local staff unfairly.
Oil workers at two China-invested projects in Chad and Niger
went on strike in March in protest against unequal pay."
“In 2009, China overtook the United States as Africa’s biggest
trading partner.
Beijing has been accused of holding back the continent’s
economic development by focusing on the pursuit of raw
materials rather than the creation of local jobs and markets",
reported Reuters.
Xia Ming, professor of political science at the City University
of New York, indicates that since the 1960s, the CCP has
established a close relationship with African nations.
To shake off its isolated status from the United States
and the Soviet Union, the CCP tried to form ties with
third World countries, especially those in Africa.
The CCP opened a diplomatic front by providing aid
to Africa.
Professor Xia Ming, Political Science, The City University
of New York: “Africa is more of a food and energy
supply base to the CCP.
We can see that main activities in Africa
revolve around resources.
This grab for Africa’s resources is very much like
the traditional Western approach."
After World War II, Western nations gradually broke away
from imperialism, paying more attention to human rights,
democracy and sustainable development in Africa.
Professor Xia Ming: “We see China’s strategy in Africa,
colonialist tendencies, is very prominent, especially
in the international context.
That’s why we see that the investment in Africa is basically
entirely an output from China, from the raw materials,
to capital and even labor.
That way, the Chinese investments have very little integration
with the local economy, and have become
an independent kingdom.
Naturally, this has caused conflicts with locals."
AP reported that, “last year, Zambia’s government
seized control of a Chinese-run coal mine, saying
Chinese managers had failed to address safety, health
and environmental concerns."
“In 2010, two Chinese managers there were accused
of shooting miners during a labor dispute, and later clashes
reportedly saw one Chinese worker killed and two others
injured", according to AP.
Xia Ming indicates that the conflicts between Chinese
companies and locals reflect the many contradictions
between the CCP and Africa.
Africans believe that the CCP’s policy has been predatory,
lacks concern for local resources, local economic
sustainability, and has even created a dual economy
for the locals.
Many locals believe the CCP’s investment
is colored with neo-colonialism.
The CCP claims its policies do not interfere
in African domestic affairs.
Xia Ming argues that in fact, the CCP has many projects
with tyrannical African countries such as Sudan,
Angola and Nigeria.
Xia Ming: “There are many investments involving bribery
to local officials to ensure smooth operation
in those countries.
Both China and Africa face the same issue
in their collaboration.
Both sides are opaque and corrupt regimes."
Xia Ming explained that many CCP officials were sacked
for getting involved in the corruption cases associated with
construction and aid to Africa, such as former deputy
secretary of Sichuan, Li Chuncheng.
Therefore, the structural corruption in the relationship
between China and Africa is a problem that cannot simply
be resolved with Li Keqiang’s propaganda talk.
Interview & Edit/Qin Xue Post-Production/Li Yong