Is the emergence of China a threat to a hegemony?
China is emerging as a viable option of socio-economic development, thus providing an alternative to Western demo-capitalism that will not agree to any avenue for speedy and meaningful development apart from what they consider as the best means.
Currently, China is consciously slowing down its annual growth rate for fear of a resultant system anomaly arising from a disproportionate growth, which may not uniformly spread to all aspects of her national life.
In its regulated dilemma, China has decided to focus its attention on Africa as a partner in its bid to re-engineer bi-polarism into global geopolitics and provide an avenue for a mutually beneficial relationship.
While some see this as a healthy development, others see the move of China as shrouded in a cloak of hegemonic advancement.
The multi-trillion Yuan question then is; does the emergence of China as an economic force carry with it, the hidden agenda of hegemony?
Background
Thirty-six years ago, The People’s Republic of China undertook sweeping national reforms that saw the nation emerge as an economic powerhouse three decades on.
The emergence of China at the economic front may have taken some parts of the global village by storm, considering the fact that the linchpin of socialism, the Soviet Union, had lost the ideological war which led to the Cold War.
Interestingly, around the same time that Socialism was taking a dip in favour the meteoric rise of democracy cum capitalism, China may have, from what seems the case with the benefit of hindsight, perceived the future and therefore began a reform in 1978.
The reform, tagged “Socialism with Chinese characteristics,” was initiated by the Communist Party of China led by Deng Xiaoping for the de-collectivisation of agriculture at the first stage and the opening up of the country for foreign investment.
The reform also permitted home-grown entrepreneurs to start up businesses.
In all these, the state did not lose control of its mechanism of ownership as most industries remained state-owned.
The second stage of reform, in the late 1980s and 1990s, involved the privatisation of many state-owned industry and the lifting of price controls, protectionist policies, and regulations, although state monopolies in sectors such as banking and petroleum remained.
By 2005, the Gross Domestic Product of the People’s Republic of China had grown to 70 per cent by virtue of the involvement of the private sector.
Relations with Africa
Modern political and economic relations between Africa and China commenced in the era of Mao Zedong, the first leader of the Chinese Communist Party, following the Chinese Civil War.
Starting in the 21st century, the modern state of the People's Republic of China built increasingly strong economic ties with Africa.
There is an estimated one million Chinese citizens residing in Africa. By comparison, it has been estimated that 200,000 Africans are working in China.
Trade between China and Africa increased by 700 per cent during the 1990s, and China is currently Africa's largest trading partner.
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was established in October 2000 as an official forum to strengthen the relationship.
A few Western countries, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, have raised concerns over the political, economic and military roles China is playing in the African continent.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasises China's developmental aid to Africa, while also stating that China and Africa are making "joint efforts to maintain the lawful rights of developing countries and push forward the creation of a new, fair and just political and economic order in the world”.
Currently, China has a total investment portfolio of $90 million in Africa and this is expected to be increased to $500 million in the next five years which will make China the biggest trade partner of Africa.
Hegemony
Hegemony is an indirect form of government, and of imperial dominance in which the hegemon (leader state) rules geopolitically subordinate states by the implied means of power, the threat of force, rather than by direct military force.
The USSR (1922–1991), Nazi Germany (1933–1945), and the United States (1823–present) each sought regional hegemony (sphere of influence), then global hegemony.
In 1939, Nazi Germany launched the Second World War (1939–1945) to gain geographic dominance of Eurasia and Africa, initially by means of empire (direct control), then by hegemony (indirect control).
After the war, the USA and the USSR fought the Cold War (1945–1991) for control of the French, British, and Dutch empires, which had been undermined by the global warfare.
In the mid-20th century, the hegemonic conflict was ideological, between the CommunistWarsaw Pact (1955–1991) and the capitalistNATO (1949–present), wherein each hegemon competed directly (the arms race) and indirectly (proxy wars) against any country whose internal, national politics might destabilise the respective hegemony.
It remains an undeniable historical fact that Africa was the battle-ground for the cold war which affected the black continent in no small measure with its debilitating effects lingering on till today.
Accusations
Western countries have been the main source of accusations that China is a neo-colonist in Africa.
As a response to such criticism, China issued the Nine Principles to Encourage and Standardise Enterprises' Overseas Investment, a charter and guide of conduct to Chinese companies operating abroad.
Other criticisms are economic in nature, including the claim that African markets are harmed by low-cost Chinese-made products, which put great competitive pressure on local industries and businesses.
While some argue that PRC's involvement currently benefits primarily the elites, there have been instances of economic trickle-down effects.
China’s stance and assurances
During a visit to Africa last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward a concept of being "genuine, frank, close, sincere" in the development of relations with Africa.
Chinese Premier, Li Keqiangalso, paid a visit to Africa recently, pointing out that China and Africa were entering a new stage of cooperation with broad prospects by upgrading the quality of their cooperation.
China’s policy on Africa has been echoed over and over again as one that envisaged a win-win situation, unlike some in the past that have been exploitative and have tended to undermine the sovereignty of African states.
What Africa needs now is that kind of relation that would not further exacerbate its already precarious situation of poverty, disease and conflicts, but one that will enhance the positives of the continent and enhance positive peer influence.
A new era
Africa cannot continue to be the underdog in dealings with the advanced world, because regardless of the challenges that confront the continent, the so-called advanced countries have benefitted and continue to benefit substantially from Africa and its high time that message was put across succinctly.
For now, China has broken through the glass ceiling and is prepared to offer a platform for equality and mutual respect; a platform on which they intend treating Africa more decently.
Africa must not stand aloof
It is time for Africa to make proactive moves to change the warped Western view of Africa, portrayed through the tainted lenses of the Western media and to send out an emphatic message that given the opportunity with equality and respect, the continent is capable of standing tall among equals.
Yes, another Africa is possible and the avenue for that possibility lies in embracing wholeheartedly, the new partnership that China is bringing onboard.