Standing up to China
In 2015 this newspaper carried an interesting article which sparked a fierce foreign policy debate, particularly on the existing relations between Namibia and China.
The article was penned following a social media debate about the N$120 million Otjomuise Vision School whose construction was financed by the Chinese government.
The Asian giant had also announced that it was building an N$11 million school in Omaheke Region, among a host of other construction projects they have been handed by the Namibian government.
Many argued during the debate that China was in Namibia and the rest of Africa not for African interests, but for its own.
As one of the leading world economies, China clearly has a plan for both Namibia and Africa.
It has never shied away from investing billions in huge projects on the continent and still maintains cordial relations with liberation movements like Swapo.
However, despite the historical links, local commentators are of the opinion that countries such as Namibia are getting the wrong end of the stick from their Asian counterparts.
Despite building local infrastructure, the Chinese are often accused of not transferring skills to local communities.
They have also been awarded huge tenders by government, without really adding value to the local economy as they continue to import labour and equipment.
Some companies are also accused of having not signed any contract of employment with local workers.
It is also very certain that China will never abandon its national interest and promote the interest of a foreign country.
This will never happen and it is high time that we stand up to China to ensure that our national interest takes precedence over that of the Asian giant.
It should no longer be business as usual.
We are not saying government must dump its ties with China.
This is not a solution.
But there must be some clear policy in place to help us protect our own national interest instead of advancing the political and economic interests of the Chinese.
What we need is policies that ensure employment for Africans, our own people, and which amongst others, makes provision for skills transfer to our people.
The article was penned following a social media debate about the N$120 million Otjomuise Vision School whose construction was financed by the Chinese government.
The Asian giant had also announced that it was building an N$11 million school in Omaheke Region, among a host of other construction projects they have been handed by the Namibian government.
Many argued during the debate that China was in Namibia and the rest of Africa not for African interests, but for its own.
As one of the leading world economies, China clearly has a plan for both Namibia and Africa.
It has never shied away from investing billions in huge projects on the continent and still maintains cordial relations with liberation movements like Swapo.
However, despite the historical links, local commentators are of the opinion that countries such as Namibia are getting the wrong end of the stick from their Asian counterparts.
Despite building local infrastructure, the Chinese are often accused of not transferring skills to local communities.
They have also been awarded huge tenders by government, without really adding value to the local economy as they continue to import labour and equipment.
Some companies are also accused of having not signed any contract of employment with local workers.
It is also very certain that China will never abandon its national interest and promote the interest of a foreign country.
This will never happen and it is high time that we stand up to China to ensure that our national interest takes precedence over that of the Asian giant.
It should no longer be business as usual.
We are not saying government must dump its ties with China.
This is not a solution.
But there must be some clear policy in place to help us protect our own national interest instead of advancing the political and economic interests of the Chinese.
What we need is policies that ensure employment for Africans, our own people, and which amongst others, makes provision for skills transfer to our people.
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Namibian Sun
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