Politico | China fired back on Tuesday against Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s warning that its heavy investments in Africa could lead to a “new colonialism” there, Reuters reported.“China and the countries of Africa were historically the victims of colonial occupation and oppression, and they all truly know what colonialism was,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said when asked about Clinton’s comments at a press conference Tuesday.
“We have never imposed our will on African countries,” Hong added. “We hope that those concerned can view Chinese-African cooperation objectively and fairly.”
Beijing’s comments come after Clinton told a Zambian TV show that African nations must keep their own interests in mind when doing business with other nations. Clinton didn’t name China, but her comments made it clear which country she had in mind.
“When people come to Africa to make investments, we want them to do well but also want them to do good,” Clinton said. “We saw that during colonial times it is easy to come in, take out natural resources, pay off leaders and leave.”
Hong countered that China provides aid to African nations – Premier Wen Jiabao offered $10 billion in loans over three years – for “mutually beneficial gain.”
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