Session #5 - March 3

[clay dube]

Hi Folks,
These are tough topics we discussed today. One point I'd like to emphasize is a tendency to equate declared intent with reality and a proclivity to assume the worse. China has regularly announced bold plans that don't quite get realized, at least in the short term. That, of course, is not unique to China. Many Americans are waiting for a long promised push to rebuild and improve our infrastructure. All of us in education know about funding gaps and so on. China's BRI efforts are running into more than a few problems. Some are due to a conflict between the aims and priorities of the host nation and the Chinese investors/builders, some are due to the usual unexpected problems that develop in trying to complete complex projects (ask anyone who has built or remodeled a home). And there is also push back at home as some question investing elsewhere rather than improving things at home. 75 years after the end of WW II, we celebrate the Marshall Plan's role in helping Europe become stable and prosperous. At various times in the early going, however, there were plenty of doubts and challenges. Stepping back to try to see the fuller context is a challenge. Not all investment yields greater productivity and wider prosperity. Let's hope, though, that China's work in Africa helps people in both places live more prosperous and healthy lives.

The article here is not about Africa, but about the BRI in Pakistan:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-03-02/a-china-belt-and-road-project-becomes-a-corridor-to-nowhere?sref=XF4hMqqw

Pakistan is a place that has great potential, but has all sorts of domestic problems. The article highlights the range of difficulties and suspicions even friendly nations can encounter.
 

[clay dube]

Since the BRI is a signature leader of Xi Jinping, there's little direct public criticism of it, but a number of folks raise the sorts of questions Robert mentions. In fact, Xi Jinping's renewed emphasis on poverty alleviation may be partly driven by a need to counter such criticism. It's worth noting, however, that the central government also believes that BRI will help develop poorer areas on China's periphery, that it will connect those places to capital and markets that they don't currently enjoy.

[Billie Johnson]

I am curious about the lack of infrastucture in technology, too.  I would think that with all of the money that China has amassed in the last few years that they would not need to steal from the US.  It is my understanding that US hacking into Huawei was an accusation...I think I will look into whether or not there is proof. However, it is interesting how sometimes it is easier to believe that the foreign country is the invader when we may not be so innocent.

[Billie Johnson]

I shared this video with my students last year about the first artifical intelligence news anchor and they were shocked: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/video/2018/nov/09/worlds-first-ai-presenter-unveiled-in-china-video

 

[Billie Johnson]

While I think there are finding gaps in many places, misallocation of funding is something to also take into account. What has prevented the BRI from being realized and on that same note, why haven't we undertaken massive infrastructure projects in the US? There are too many high-powered mouths eating from the same plate.  If the projects are not prioritized then there is no point in throwing good money after bad...however, it would be great to see a focus on what is best for the people.

[Kevin Bailey]

I think you make some great points about the knee-jerk reactions we often make. I do believe that China is challenging our 70 plus year reign as "The Sole Superpower" and that certainly scares Americans. However; a working relationship with China has proven to be good for both America and China because this is not a zero-sum game. I believe it was Samuel Huntington that once stated that two countries will never go to war with each other as long as they both have a McDonalds. The interconnectivity of our economies is perhaps past the point where war would benefit either one of us. So instead we will both complain about each other, perhaps we may rattle our swords in order to negotiate for a new trade deal, but a war will ultimately be off the table.

[Kevin Bailey]

I think that is a great connection for the kids to make. The CFR has some good stuff on the South China Sea and I linked a great article below that might be of some use. I spent some time talking about this with my Comparative students and I like the idea of tying in some literature that they have read and using my boy Teddy. 

 

https://www.cfr.org/interactive/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/territorial-disputes-south-china-sea

[Kevin Bailey]

I am doing my project on China and African relations with a focus on Nigeria. I went to Uganda in 2012 and I was shocked at how many Chinese people I saw while I was in Entebbe. A lot of the businesses at the mall were owned by Chinese nationals and there was a great Chinese restaurant that I ate at. On a large scale, the readings showed just how invested China is a lot of industries within a good portion of Africa. Very interesting. 

 

I think I recall that you were also doing your project in China and Africa. What is your focus going to be on?

 

[Alison Douglas]

Thanks Billie,

I watched your link, and was also very shocked by it.  It amazing to see what advances they have made, and will be interesting to see how things advance.  They put a lot much focus in technology and wonder when the US will start doing this too.

 

[Alison Douglas]

It has been interesting to learn how China plans to expand throughout Asia and Africa.  After I watched the lecture and read the articles, I get the impression that they almost want to do it in a subtle way.  By opening up businesses and pouring billions of dollars into Africa as a way to monopolize the trade of goods.  I read in one article that the U.S. and European countries are adopting more isolationist policies while China is becoming more global.  Even by setting up their military in certain regions of Africa, this is sort of alarming.  I always had the impression that China was more about isolation.  It has become more clear to me why the U.S. would want to rethink how we trade with China with the tariff discussion that has been going on.  This seems to be extremely important how thing move forward.

[Alison Douglas]

I agree with you on the infrastructure.  I believe the U.S. should take on some infrastructure projects that would be extremely benificial.  

[Alison Douglas]

I found this interesting as well.  I had no idea that China was so infested in Africa.  It seems like it has been the prime location as well as meeting very little resistance. I read how it has become a popular tourist attraction for the Chinese, and it will be interesting to see how this all developes.

[Alison Douglas]

Kevin,

I was also surprised with the China's realtionship with Africa.  It seems that they are in a way taking over the infrastructure and trade of much of Africa.  Also, the fact that we don't hear much about this and how it will impact China in the future.  I read an article about how the U.S. is adopting more isolationist policies while China is doing the opposite.  It seems that China in on a mission to expand and knows how to do it, which will just make them nore powerful.

[Alison Douglas]

Clay,

I agree with you and with all the Chinese investment throughout the region that it helps the people in both places.  I didn't realize how difficult like is for most Chinese.  It seems that Africa, Pakistan as well as others would benifit as well.

[Alison Douglas]

Yes, it seems that because China is trying to develop in areas that lack such basic necessities, especially in Africa.  I would think that it could only benifit them more than hurt them.  For this reason, I believe they won't get much resistance.

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