Sino-Imperialism Through Investment and Infrastructure
Chinese President Hu Jintao and Gabon's President Ali Bongo met in Shanghai in 2010 partly to discuss the exploitation of the iron deposit of Belinga, Gabon.
China’s ambitious $40 billion plan to construct a rival to the Panama Canal in Nicaragua has captured the world’s attention, but the Middle Kingdom is no stranger to ambitious megaprojects in far-flung corners of the globe. New Chinese President Xi Jinping has long pushed Chinese companies to invest overseas to gain access to precious natural resources such as coal or mineral ore. And while China’s state-owned enterprises characteristically focus on extractive industries in impoverished countries, infrastructure projects — such as highways or power plants — are often thrown in as part of the deal. Beijing chooses to invest in many semi-pariah states of which Western democracies remain wary — such as Sudan, Belarus or Cambodia. These marginalized nations are happy to receive China’s grants and low-interest loans as securing similar funds from Western powers normally entails tiresome assurances on human rights and transparency — topics Beijing is only too happy to disregard.1. Propping Up Sudan Through Oil Exploration
Workers for the China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corp., talk on a mobile handset by oil storage tanks near Melut, in the Upper Nile, Sudan, Nov. 29, 2010.
China National Petroleum Company (CNPC) has been producing oil and natural gas in Sudan since 1996, and invested $5 billion in the country during the decade that followed. The company dominates oil exploration both in Sudan and the new state of South Sudan, which only gained independence in July 2011. CNPC briefly stopped operations last August over a dispute between Sudan and South Sudan over access to their shared linking pipeline. South Sudan eventually agreed to pay $9.46 per barrel in order to use Sudan’s pipeline and port facilities. The two African nations host CNPC’s largest foreign operation that produces 250,000 barrels of oil every day and forms the lion’s share of revenue for South Sudan. China is reaping the rewards of becoming Sudan’s main trading partner after the U.S. introduced an embargo in 1997 in response to the East African nation’s shocking human rights record. In 2012, Sudan also allowed China to set up a free-trade zone in the country for agricultural products and livestock.2. Revolutionary Railways: Libya’s Coastal Train Line
Libyan railway authority officials attend a simulation session on the Tripoli subway system which is under construction with Chinese and Russian help during the Libya Railways 2010 exhibition held in the capital Tripoli on June 14, 2010, as the state's public works department and the Tripoli municipality prepare to invite bids for the new subway system.
In June, China Railway Construction Corporation, or CRCC, announced a joint deal with Russian Railways to build a train line between Sirte and Benghazi in Libya. In 2008, the CRCC won the contract to build 352 km of railway along the Algerian coast from Khoms to Sirte, and a further 172 km from Tripoli to Ras Ejder on the border with Tunisia, plus an 800 km railway line between Misrata and Wadi Shatti. Construction plans were delayed for two years due to the popular uprising that eventually ousted Dictator Col. Muammar Gaddafi. (The country is still ruled by an interim leader who was elected in June.) The reasons behind Beijing’s interest in Libya are clear — it has largest oil reserves in Africa and production has already returned to pre-revolution levels.Launched: 2008
Cost: $12 billion (split with Russia Railways)
3. Carving Through America: The Nicaragua Canal
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega stands with Wang Jing, president of of the Chinese company HK Nicaragua Development Gran Canal Interoceanico, during the framework agreement for the construction of the Interoceanic Grand Canal in Managua, on June 14, 2013.
In June, it was announced that the proposed Nicaragua Canal linking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans would be contracted to the Hong Kong Nicaragua Canal Development Investment — a firm registered in the Cayman Islands and owned by Chinese businessman Wang Jing — which would be responsible for designing, building and managing the project for 50 years. The scheme will include an oil pipeline, “dry canal” freight railroad, two deep-water ports, two international airports and a series of free–trade zones. Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in Latin America and its government hopes that the project, which would be twice the length of the Panama Canal, could singlehandedly raise GDP by 15%. Engineers first proposed a canal through the country back in the late 19th century, but corruption and inefficiency have long thwarted efforts. China’s state–owned China Railway Construction Corporation is expected to play a leading role after conducting feasibility studies. Launched: 2013
Cost: $40 billion
4. Dam the Environment: Cambodia’s Hydroelectric Legacy
A Cambodian man carries empty cement bags in front of the Kamchay dam during the inauguration ceremony for the Kamchay hydropower dam in Kampot province, some 160 kilometers southwest of Phnom Penh on Dec. 7, 2011.
Chinese state-owned Sinohydro Corporation finished building the 193-megawatt Kamchay hydroelectric dam in Cambodia in 2011 — the largest of five dams in the Southeast Asian country. Cambodian authorities aim to counter domestic power shortages in Kampot, Phnom Penh and Preah Sihanouk province, as well as sell some of the electricity generated. Chinese companies are also building a dam in Pursat Province and on the Tatai River in Koh Kong province, although environmentalists have raised concerns over land grabs and deforestation. China is Cambodia’s largest investor having poured $9.7 billion into the country over the past 18 years, according to Radio Free Asia citing a government report.Launched: 2011
Cost: $280 million
5. Nigeria’s Growing Sway: Zungeru Hydroelectric Plant
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang shakes hands with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan before their meeting at the Great Hall of the People on July 11, 2013 in Beijing, China, President Goodluck Jonathan was in China to finalise agreements for low interest loans to be use in developing infrastructure in Nigeria. Launched: 2013
Cost: $1.29 billion
6. Zambia Bites Back: Scandal at Collum Coal Mine
Chinese-owned Collum Coal mine in Sinazongwe, 200 miles south of Lusaka, Zambia, Aug. 7. 2012.
According to the Zambia Development Agency, state-owned China Nonferrous Metal Mining has invested over $2 billion and created 10,000 jobs for local Zambians in extractive industries since last September. While investment from China in Zambia seems robust, Chinese-run mines in the landlocked country have been in the news recently for less positive reasons. In February, the Zambian government revoked three licenses held by Chinese-owned Collum Coal Mine due to health, safety and environmental concerns, as well as failure to stump up mineral royalties. Mining Minister Yamfwa Mukanga said he is currently looking for a “suitable investor” after the government took over operation of the three scandal–ridden mines. Behind the new climate is Zambia’s new President Michael Sata who was elected on a largely anti–China ticket. Last year in one of the Collum mines, a Chinese supervisor was killed during protests against poor working conditions. In 2010, two Chinese supervisors were accused of spraying bullets at local employees during another riot that resulted in a dozen injured, but charges were dropped.Launched: 2010
Cost: $2 billion
FUENTE: http://world.time.com/2013/07/16/six-chinese-megaprojects-across-the-globe/#ixzz2ZDZ4EjTY
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