African Perspectives on

China-Africa Links

Forthcoming in China Quarterly, Summer, 2009

① Destruction of African industry and exports

② Gratuitous use of home country labor; Poor health, safety and environmental standards

③ Racism among Chinese

④ Provision of arms and political support to the continent’s dictators and genocidaires.

Surveys:

African’s Perception of China-Africa Links

• Surveys by US polling groups among Africans

• A survey by Cameroon researchers.

• A survey of 2,000+ university students and faculty in nine African countries and Tianjin, China.

Our Findings:

Africans are① Not nearly as negative about China and Chinese

people as Western media portrays② Mostly positive about China/Africa links③ More positive about these links than about links

with the US.

The Main Influences • Africans own national political struggles • Western media influence in their countries.

Pew Global Attitudes Survey：2007, More favorable views of China in Africa than

in any other region. • Nigeria - favorable to China: 59% in 2006 75%

in 200779% in 2008• Five of the seven countries most positive about

Chinese economic influence were African

2008, Sub-Saharan Africa most positive about China

• 87% of Nigerians, 77% of Tanzanians and 53% of S. Africans positive about Chinese economic influence

Gallup Survey:

2006, Chad

2007, Sudan

China US Franc

Favorable to country 52% 50% 28%

Favorable to peoples 51% 48% 25%

Chin US

Favorable 48% 26%

Unfavorabl 26% 51%

Chines America

Favorable 51% 38%

Unfavorabl 21% 40%

Cameroons Research:• 70% disturbed by Chinese migration, but• 92% accept that China helps Cameroon’s economy • 81% say they welcome Chinese products

Survey of African Students and Faculty

• Largely favorable to links with China; • Chinese policies in Africa as more beneficial

than those of Western countries.

Table 1: For your country, is China's path of development Except in South Africa, majorities in all countries viewed China’s development as a positive model

Country

Table 1: For your country, is China's path of development

a very positive model

Somewhat positive Irrelevant negative don't know Count

Botswana

16.4% 39.2% 15.5% 9.5% 19.4% (232)

Egypt 39.3% 36.7% 11.7% 6.6% 5.6% (196)

Ethiopia 33.0% 52.8% 4.6% 6.1% 3.6% (197)

Ghana 44.4% 38.8% 4.8% 2.0% 10.0% (250)

Kenya 36.2% 47.4% 5.6% 4.6% 6.1% (196)

Nigeria 34.5% 40.6% 6.1% 3.6% 15.2% (197)

South Africa 3.0% 43.7% 1.5% 2.0% 49.7% (197)

Sudan 44.0% 40.5% 4.4% 6.3% 4.8% (252)

Zambia 22.0% 52.9% 8.4% 10.5% 6.3% (191)

Total %Total Count

30.9% (589)

43.3% (826

7.0% (133)

5.7% (108)

13.2% (252)

100% (1908)

Table 2: How much of China’s and Africa’s interests are in commonEthiopian, Sudanese, and Kenyan perceived China has most, many or some common interests with Africa. S. Africans, Batswana, and Egyptians were least enthusiastic. Half of Zambian respondents saw most, many or some common interests with China; those who saw few or none often cited a fear of China reducing its population by

sending migrants to Africa and/ or cultural differences, mainly a Chinese habit of keeping to themselves

Country

Table 2: How much of China’s and Africa’s interests are in common

Most Many Some A Few No Don't know

Count

Botswana

5.9% 11.4% 25.5% 22.7% 18.2% 16.4% (220)

Egypt 10.2% 17.3% 20.9% 31.6% 13.3% 6.6% (196)

Ethiopia 17.3% 30.5% 36.5% 9.1% 1.5% 5.1% (197)

Ghana 1.6% 11.2% 41.8% 26.5% 6.4% 12.4% (249)

Kenya 15.7% 29.9% 35.5% 15.7% 1.5% 1.5% (197)

Nigeria 8.1% 19.8% 39.6% 27.4% 1.5% 3.6% (197)

South Africa .5% 1.0% 29.4% 28.9% 22.8% 17.3% (197)

Sudan 36.9% 23.8% 22.6% 8.7% .8% 7.1% (252)

Zambia 4.1% 14.8% 32.1% 32.7% 10.2% 6.1% (196)

Total %Total Count

11.6% (220)

17.7% (336)

31.5% (599)

22.3% (424)

8.3% (158)

8.6% (164)

100% (1901)

Table 3: China is just in Africa for natural resourcesZambia and Sudan top the list in strongly agreeing or agreeing that China is only interested in Africa’s natural resources, followed by Ethiopia and Botswana. Responses from Egypt, Kenya and Nigeria are divided between agree, disagree and neutral/don’t know, but few S. Africans agree.

Country

Table 3: China is just in Africa for natural resources

strongly agree Agree Neutral disagreestrongly disagree don't know Count

Botswana

24.9% 16.5% 27.8% 19.0% 5.1% 6.8% (237)

Egypt 16.8% 20.8% 23.4% 25.4% 8.1% 5.6% (197)

Ethiopia 16.3% 29.6% 19.9% 23.0% 4.6% 6.6% (196)

Ghana 8.8% 20.8% 27.2% 35.2% 1.6% 6.4% (250)

Kenya 16.8% 16.2% 24.4% 33.5% 6.1% 3.0% (197)

Nigeria 6.6% 23.4% 27.4% 26.4% 8.6% 7.6% (197)

South Africa 1.0% 6.6% 38.1% 31.5% 4.1% 18.8% (197)

Sudan 21.6% 29.2% 19.2% 23.2% 4.0% 2.8% (250)

Zambia 23.5% 34.2% 19.9% 15.3% 2.6% 4.6% (196)

Total %Total Count

15.3 %(294)

22.0%(421)

25.2%(483)

25.9%(496)

4.9%(93)

6.8%(130) 100% (1917)

Table 4: For Africa, China’s policy of "non-interference“In each country, more people strongly approve or approve of “non-interference” than strongly disapprove or disapprove.

Country

Table 4: For Africa, China’s policy of "non-interference" is

a good policybasically good, but

with some problemsmore harmful

than good quite harmfuldon't know Count

Botswana

22.2% 34.3% 18.7% 9.1% 15.7% (230)

Egypt 34.4% 23.6% 19.5% 7.2% 15.4% (195)

Ethiopia 14.3% 50.5% 16.3% 11.2% 7.7% (196)

Ghana 24.0% 32.8% 13.6% 19.2% 10.4% (250)

Kenya 31.1% 35.8% 16.6% 12.4% 4.1% (193)

Nigeria 17.3% 31.0% 14.7% 12.7% 24.4% (197)

South Africa 12.2% 31.0% 19.8% 13.2% 23.9% (197)

Sudan 43.2% 33.6% 8.0% 4.8% 10.4% (250)

Zambia 29.6% 36.2% 18.9% 8.2% 7.1% (196)

Total %Total Count

25.7%(490)

34.2%(652)

16.0%(304)

10.9%(208)

13.1%(250)

100% (1904)

Table 5: My view of Chinese doing small business in my country isMost respondents viewed Chinese small business as providing help or problematic help to local economic development

Country

Table 5: My view of Chinese doing small business in my country is

helps with the local economic development

Helps, but is also a source of problems

for local people

Is not helpful to local economic development

generally harms the

interests of the local people

don't know Count

Botswana14.9% 43.8% 17.9% 17.4% 6.0% (235)

Egypt 24.0% 26.5% 21.4% 17.3% 10.7% (196)

Ethiopia 40.2% 40.7% 6.2% 7.7% 5.2% (194)

Ghana 45.2% 40.4% 8.0% 3.2% 3.2% (250)

Kenya 59.7% 24.5% 5.6% 7.1% 3.1% (196)

Nigeria 44.7% 28.4% 12.2% 8.1% 6.6% (197)

South Africa 24.4% 51.3% 6.1% 5.1% 13.2% (197)

Sudan 38.7% 28.4% 14.0% 10.7% 8.2% (243)

Zambia 13.8% 51.0% 18.4% 15.3% 1.5% (196)

Total %Total Count

34.0%(647)

37.2%(709)

12.2%(233)

10.2%(194)

6.4%(121)

100% (1904)

Table 6: China's policies in the continentIn seven of the nine countries -- the exceptions are Botswana and Zambia -- more people view China’s policies in Africa as generally or somewhat beneficial than otherwise

Country

Table 6: China's policies in the continent are

Generally beneficial somewhat beneficial

both beneficial & harmful

generally harmful don't know Count

Botswana

10.2% 23.0% 35.0% 11.1% 20.8% (226)

Egypt 16.8% 25.5% 39.8% 5.6% 12.2% (196)

Ethiopia 14.3% 41.8% 35.7% 3.6% 4.6% (196)

Ghana 14.4% 31.6% 26.0% 1.2% 26.8% (250)

Kenya 26.0% 38.0% 28.1% 3.1% 4.7% (192)

Nigeria 19.9% 31.1% 34.2% 3.1% 11.7% (196)

South Africa 6.1% 36.7% 29.6% 5.1% 22.4% (196)

Sudan 30.4% 37.5% 19.0% 5.1% 7.9% (253)

Zambia 12.2% 23.0% 50.0% 9.7% 5.1% (196)

Total %Total Count

16.9%(322)

32.0%(609)

32.5%(617)

5.3%(100)

13.3%(253)

100% (1901)

Table 7: China's policies in Africa compared with Western policiesIn all countries, more people view China’s policies in Africa as much more or somewhat more beneficial than Western policies

Country

Table 7: China's policies in Africa compared with Western policies are

much more beneficial to

Africa

somewhat more beneficial to

Africaabout the

same

somewhat more

harmful to Africa

much more harmful to

Africadon’t know Count

Botswana12.6% 26.9% 18.8% 9.4% 7.2% 25.1% (223)

Egypt 18.1% 29.0% 26.9% 7.8% 4.7% 13.5% (193)

Ethiopia 24.9% 40.6% 14.2% 6.6% 4.1% 9.6% (197)

Ghana 19.6% 19.6% 21.2% 3.2% .4% 36.0% (250)

Kenya 22.1% 36.9% 22.6% 9.2% 2.6% 6.7% (195)

Nigeria 15.2% 23.4% 17.8% 6.1% 7.1% 30.5% (197)

South Africa

3.1% 31.6% 35.2% 2.6% .0% 27.6% (196)

Sudan 46.4% 34.1% 6.3% 4.4% 3.2% 5.6% (252)

Zambia 13.8% 29.7% 30.3% 10.8% 3.1% 12.3% (195)

Total %Total Count

20.2%(384)

30.0%(569)

21.0%(398)

6.5%(124)

3.5%(67)

18.8%(356)

100% (1898)

Table 8: Satisfaction with Chinese companies that work on large projects in my country In all countries more people feel very satisfied or satisfied than dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with Chinese projects

Country

Table 8: Satisfaction with Chinese companies that work on large projects in my country

very satisfied satisfied neutral Dissatisfied very dissatisfied Count

Botswana

8.1% 23.0% 38.3% 21.6% 9.0% (222)

Egypt 17.3% 34.2% 31.1% 9.7% 7.7% (196)

Ethiopia 13.0% 54.4% 20.7% 9.3% 2.6% (193)

Ghana 8.9% 53.7% 32.5% 4.9% .0% (246)

Kenya 13.3% 55.6% 25.5% 5.1% .5% (196)

Nigeria 12.2% 44.4% 33.2% 9.2% 1.0% (196)

South Africa .6% 19.3% 79.5% .6% .0% (176)

Sudan 23.1% 48.6% 17.1% 7.2% 4.0% (251)

Zambia 8.2% 34.9% 34.9% 16.9% 5.1% (195)

Total %Total Count

12.0%(224)

41.4%(775)

33.8%(632)

9.5%(177)

3.4%(63)

100% (1871)

Table 9: Adaption of Chinese to the local society, compared to Westernersall countries except Zambia had more respondents who perceive Chinese as much more or somewhat more adapted than Westerners to local societies

Country

Table 9: Adaption of Chinese to the local society, compared to Westerners

Much more adapted

somewhat more adapted same

Somewhat less adapted

much less adapted

don't know Count

Botswana26.9% 22.0% 17.0% 13.9% 10.3% 9.9% (223)

Egypt 41.6% 30.5% 13.2% 2.0% 3.0% 9.6% (197)

Ethiopia 22.4% 30.6% 10.7% 16.8% 4.6% 14.8% (196)

Ghana 13.2% 27.2% 22.0% 14.4% 11.2% 12.0% (250)

Kenya 14.3% 26.5% 14.3% 23.5% 15.3% 6.1% (196)

Nigeria 15.7% 32.0% 29.4% 8.6% 7.6% 6.6% (197)

South Africa

34.2% 15.3% 38.3% .5% 1.0% 10.7% (196)

Sudan 33.1% 31.9% 9.6% 6.4% 11.6% 7.6% (251)

Zambia 14.8% 19.4% 9.7% 22.4% 26.5% 7.1% (196)

Total %Total Count

24.0% (457)

26.3% (500)

18.1%(344)

12.0%(228)

10.2%(194)

9.4%(179)

100% (1902)

Table 10: What is your impression of the Chinese present in your country? Majorities in all countries are impressed by Chinese as hardworking

Country

Table 10: What is your impression of the Chinese present in your country?

hardworking disciplined friendly Unfriendly Racistopportunity

seeker Selfishnot

social

not disciplined

Count

Botswana 64.1% 5.4% 4.0% 16.6% 5.4% 4.0% .0% .0% .4% (223)

Egypt 61.7% 15.3% 17.3% .5% 2.6% 2.6% .0% .0% .0% (196)

Ethiopia 87.2% 3.1% 4.6% 1.0% 1.0% 3.1% .0% .0% .0% (196)

Kenya 70.1% 6.2% 13.9% 6.7% 2.6% .5% .0% .0% .0% (194)

Nigeria 77.0% 8.7% 8.2% 2.0% 3.1% 1.0% .0% .0% .0% (196)

South Africa 74.0% 6.6% 18.9% .0% .0% .5% .0% .0% .0% (196)

Sudan 72.7% 20.2% 4.3% 1.6% .8% .0% .0% .4% .0% (253)

Zambia 75.4% 5.3% 4.8% 7.5% 4.3% 1.1% 1.6% .0% .0% (187)

Total %Total Count

72.6%(1192)

9.2%(151)

9.3%(152)

4.6%(75)

2.4%(40)

1.6%(26)

.2%(3)

.1%(1)

.1%(1)

100%(1641)

Table 11: What effect do you think China as a rising power will have on Africa? All nine countries have more people who think the rise of China as potentially very beneficial or beneficial to Africa than otherwise

Country

Table 11: What effect do you think China as a rising power will have on Africa?

potentially very beneficial

to Africa

potentially somewhat

beneficial to Africa

of no relevance to Africa

Potentially somewhat harmful to

Africa

Potentially very harmful

to Africadon't know Count

Botswana11.9% 34.4% 14.2% 9.6% 8.3% 21.6% (218)

Egypt 18.1% 34.7% 29.5% 5.7% 3.6% 8.3% (193)

Ethiopia 23.6% 41.5% 11.3% 7.7% 3.1% 12.8% (195)

Ghana 23.2% 42.4% 11.6% 7.2% 1.6% 14.0% (250)

Kenya 27.6% 48.4% 12.0% 6.3% 1.6% 4.2% (192)

Nigeria 19.9% 29.3% 19.9% 9.4% 2.6% 18.8% (191)

South Africa 5.6% 47.4% 1.5% 3.6% 3.6% 38.3% (196)

Sudan 35.1% 41.8% 9.6% 3.2% 4.8% 5.6% (251)

Zambia 17.7% 42.7% 17.7% 11.5% 1.6% 8.9% (192)

Total %Total Count

20.7%(389)

40.4%(758)

13.9%(261)

7.0%(132)

3.5%(65)

14.5%(273)

100%(1878)

Table 12: Some people say China practices neo-colonialism in Africa More people in Botswana, Zambia, and Egypt agree or strongly agree than disagree or strongly disagree that China practices neocolonialism in Africa. In six other countries, more disagree with this view.

Country

Table 12: Some people say China practices neo-colonialism in Africa

strongly agree agree neutral disagree strongly disagree don't know Count

Botswana15.1% 14.2% 23.6% 12.0% 7.6% 27.6% (225)

Egypt 11.7% 22.4% 31.1% 23.0% 3.6% 8.2% (196)

Ethiopia 6.2% 14.4% 25.8% 32.5% 13.4% 7.7% (194)

Ghana 2.4% 10.4% 28.0% 35.6% 6.8% 16.8% (250)

Kenya 6.2% 15.5% 26.9% 30.6% 10.9% 9.8% (193)

Nigeria 5.1% 10.8% 28.7% 24.6% 5.1% 25.6% (195)

South Africa 2.0% 4.1% 42.9% 29.1% 8.7% 13.3% (196)

Sudan 5.2% 8.7% 19.4% 43.7% 16.7% 6.3% (252)

Zambia 16.4% 25.4% 26.5% 19.0% 5.3% 7.4% (189)

Total %Total Count

7.7%(145)

13.7%(259)

27.8%(525)

28.3%(534)

8.8%(167)

13.8%(260)

100% (1890)

Table 13: Some people say increased Chinese migration would benefit AfricaNote that the question is put in terms of increased Chinese migration; those who disagree with that may still be fine with current levels of Chinese migration

Country

Table 13: Some people say increased Chinese migration would benefit Africa

Strongly agree Agree neutral disagree strongly disagree Count

Botswana

7.8% 9.6% 33.5% 25.7% 23.4% (218)

Egypt 9.7% 11.7% 26.5% 37.2% 14.8% (196)

Ethiopia 12.4% 26.3% 33.5% 22.2% 5.7% (194)

Kenya 13.0% 28.0% 30.6% 19.7% 8.8% (193)

Nigeria 8.6% 26.9% 39.6% 19.3% 5.6% (197)

South Africa.5% 13.3% 69.2% 13.8% 3.1% (195)

Sudan 9.1% 31.0% 21.8% 30.2% 7.9% (252)

Total %Total Count

8.7%(126)

21.2%(306)

35.8%(517)

24.3%(351)

10.0%(145)

100% (1445)

In 9 African Countries:• Variation mainly comes from country, not

demographic differences• Most consistently positive: Sudan, Ghana,

Ethiopia and Kenya• Most negative: Botswana and Zambia • In between: Nigeria, Egypt, and S. Africa.

In Tianjin, China:• Slightly less positive

Zambia

• Opposition Patriotic Front’s anti-Chinese campaign 2006 --

• The University of Zambia as opposition stronghold

• Zambian media heavily relies on Western media

• Botswana National Front and Botswana Congress Party MPs single out Chinese

• The University of Botswana faculty support for BNF

• Newspapers in Botswana owned or managed by whites with UK & SA ties

Botswana

Sudan

• $8 billion Chinese investment in energy industry

100,000 jobs in the energy sector

50% revenues to the Sudan government• Sale of arms by China criticized in Darfur, but not

generally in Sudan• Less influence by Western media• No sustained critique of China by opposition

Conclusion

• Western media representations of strong African resentment of China or Chinese not proved

• More appreciation of China’s role in Africa than Western role

• Future research: a wider range of countries and panel data with multiple dimensions over time

• Knowing African perspectives now essential to understanding China’s place in the world.