By all accounts, come the end of 2010, The People's Republic China (China) will be the second biggest economy in the world after the United States of America, surpassing Japan. China's GDP 
growth over the past decade has been nothing short of explosive, as a result of the growth of the manufacturing sector in that country. A lot has also been written about China's cheap labour practices which have played a major role in making country one of the world's leading exporters, earning valuable foreign currency.
growth over the past decade has been nothing short of explosive, as a result of the growth of the manufacturing sector in that country. A lot has also been written about China's cheap labour practices which have played a major role in making country one of the world's leading exporters, earning valuable foreign currency. China's Foreign Reserves Swell Up
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal (14 Oct, 2010), China's foreign currency reserves now stand at a record US$ 2,6 trillion, the largest of any country. This stash of cash gives China the upper-hand in any deal the country negotiates. China is already one of Africa's biggest trade partners, with already strong ties among many sub-Saharan countries. In the last two weeks alone China announced separate trade agreements with Angola and Botswana.
China could be the next colonizer
In the case of Botswana, the trade agreement which China signed with the resource-rich Southern African country, included a US$ 6 million development agreement. This figure is a small pittance by China's standards but a sizable contribution to Botswana's relatively small economy. Imagine that each trade agreement China signs with each African country includes such a developmental aspect, this could be China's way of gaining influence over governments of those Africa countries. In my opinion, African countries have to be careful not to sign away control of their governments to China. It may not seem like it now, but if China is left un-checked, in no time we may well have a situation where the famous red flag is flown in many the African countries, with Mandarin Chinese as one of the the official languages of these same countries. There must be political will among African leaders to guard against China becoming Africa's next colonizer.
signed with the resource-rich Southern African country, included a US$ 6 million development agreement. This figure is a small pittance by China's standards but a sizable contribution to Botswana's relatively small economy. Imagine that each trade agreement China signs with each African country includes such a developmental aspect, this could be China's way of gaining influence over governments of those Africa countries. In my opinion, African countries have to be careful not to sign away control of their governments to China. It may not seem like it now, but if China is left un-checked, in no time we may well have a situation where the famous red flag is flown in many the African countries, with Mandarin Chinese as one of the the official languages of these same countries. There must be political will among African leaders to guard against China becoming Africa's next colonizer.If I sound alarmist, that's the intention!
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