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1-Page Summary of China’s Second Continent

Overview

Though China and Africa are geographically far apart, the two have a lot in common. Over the last few decades, many Chinese people have moved to Africa for business opportunities and better living conditions.

So what does this mean for the people of Africa and Chinese migrants? While it might seem ideal that there is a strong economic relationship between China and Africa, the full story isn’t quite as straightforward. It plays out on many levels: geopolitical, economic and on a personal level as well.

In this passage, you will discover how Africa is going to be the next major continent in terms of population; why a Chinese farmer moved to Mozambique; and how the main streets of Dakar, Senegal can feel more Chinese than African.

Big Idea #1: China has benefited greatly from globalization, but still faces many social problems.

China has become a major manufacturer of products, but it didn’t always have that reputation. In fact, Chinese products started to spread across the world in the 1970s, when China began reaping benefits from globalization.

Today, China is the fastest growing economy in the world. This is because Western companies have moved their manufacturing to China after they realized that it was more profitable to produce goods there due to the country’s large pool of human resources and its different political climate.

China has become a major player in the global market, and it’s not just because of its cheap labor. China has been responsible for 40% of the world’s economic growth over the last two decades. Its economy grew by an average of 10.2% every year from 1990 to 2010, while other countries’ economies were struggling with recessions or slow growth rates. In addition, China is now ready to take on more responsibility in international politics.

Although China has made economic progress, it hasn’t improved the lives of everyone in that country. Many Chinese people are unhappy with their society and want to leave. The author cites overpopulation, the one-child policy (which limits couples to having only one child), and harsh competition at work as reasons for this dissatisfaction.

Hao, a Chinese man who moved to Mozambique and started his own farm, had no love for the system he left behind. He was very clear about his dislike of how corrupt China is and how much it has hurt people like him. Many other people have also left China for countries like Mozambique so they can make more money and get ahead in life.

China has grown rapidly and needs to expand. Africa is the perfect place for China to expand, because it’s abundant in resources that China needs.

Big Idea #2: The Chinese government has already been strategically strengthening its ties to Africa for the last 20 years.

Africa has been ignored for several years. Few Western delegates visit, but Chinese politicians do often. African countries are experiencing rapid growth and soon will be bigger than China’s growth rate. Africa’s demographics are also changing: by 2050, there will be more people in Africa than Asia. This is a problem because corrupt governments might not help their countries develop smoothly and large companies can exploit the local population without legal protection.

Africa is the key to world success in this century. If it plays its cards right, it will be able to lift itself out of poverty and corruption.

The Chinese government has been strengthening their ties with Africa since the mid-1990s. In 1996, they started courting African leaders to foster a closer relationship between China and Africa. Jian Zemin, then President of China, promised $5 billion in aid for developing hospitals, schools and other public institutions on the continent. He also encouraged Chinese companies to expand overseas and invest in Africa.