Maybe this is just me being extremely paranoid of the Chinese people, but I feel like this will somehow end badly for Africa. The United States owe an extremely large amount of debt and China, I feel, is just waiting to do something about it.
How do you think this will end badly for Africa? Aren't they getting additional infrastructure? And China is getting materials for? How is this bad? Elaborate.
There are some people that think that this is a form of colonialism. Also, people from Africa themselves (at least the ones who are currently living in the US) feel that way also. In their opinion, their countries are better without the Chinese's help. However, I think that this form of colonialism is no different from what the US were doing to them back then before the Chinese took over. The only difference that I can see is that the Chinese imposed less conditions for them to be able to receive the donations. As the result, they (Africans in Africa, not the one who live in the US) love the Chinese more than the Americans. I guess in the near future it can change easily and will impact the whole global economy.
I would agree that colonialism may not be the most appropriate term, but I do notice that kind of partnership between the two countries. I think though it is more of the normal economic cooperation where different countries complement each other's strengths and weaknesses. I think also such practice is beneficial for both nations, as it creates new opportunities which would not have been possible if each country would just stand on its own. It's a healthy and sustainable practice among economies that should not be discouraged by labeling it with terms that connote more negative political relationships.
Where I live, many of us who are land owners have personally made a great sums of money with no risk or expense to us by allowing evil US oil companies to drill on our lands. Typically a lease is signed (after my attorney looks it over in my case), a small annual lease fee per acre is paid, and a 20% royalty of whatever comes out of the ground is paid to the owners of the land / mineral rights. There have been many hillbillies and swamprats who have become millionaires and beyond this way.
It does not represent colonialsim, because there is no one colonising another, these two parties have both agreed on a deal, there is no way Africa could fall into a trap of being colonised after what they experienced, it is all about investment.
And often that local wealth is spread to the communities. That's often a good thing. Unfortunately sometimes the land and the water sources can't support the growth that brings, leading to water shortages, which I'm sure you're probably seeing as am I right now.
I think the correct term here is exploitation. They're really exploiting Africa for their resources and the additional help they do receive from China will actually benefit China in the long run rather than the African countries.
I've not personally experienced any water shortages myself. But I have heard of oil and gas companies bringing water in from outside sources on trucks when these things happen. Personally, I'll work around any water issues when they're paying me tens of thousands or more a month in royalties - I'll manage somehow.
Africa needs money and China has loads. Nothing colonial about it as far as I can see. Western nations used armies , china uses money. Everybody is happy apart from the West but there's nothing they can do about it anyway.