Introduction - Beware of the dragon: Africa should not look to China - IQ2 debates

http://www.intelligencesquared.com/events/beware-of-the-dragon

This debate took place at Cadogan Hall in London on 28th November 2011.

Speakers for the motion: George Ayittey, Ana Maria Gomes

Speakers against the motion: Deborah Brautigam, Stephen Chan

Chair: Lindsey Hilsum

Event info:

We all know that the Chinese are the neo-colonialists of Africa. They've plundered the continent of its natural resources, tossing aside any concern for human rights and doing deals with some of the world's most unsavoury regimes. The relentless pursuit of growth is China's only spur.

But is this picture really fair? In Angola, for example, China's low-interest loans have been tied to a scheme that has ensured that roads, schools and other infrastructure has been built. China has an impressive track record of lifting its own millions out of poverty and can do the same for Africa. And is the West's record in Africa as glowing as we like to think? After decades of pouring aid into Africa, how much have we actually achieved in terms of reducing poverty, corruption and war? So which way should Africa look for salvation -- to the West, to China, or perhaps to its own people? Come to the debate and decide for yourself.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• iq2
• iqvideo

[choikyo]

@ApathyPersonified yes I read it. Like you said, it is a debate, because someone holds an opinion, and another group of ppl have an opposite opinion. I was just commenting on one opinion.

Plus, in a debate, the announcer or describer should not use "we all know".. who all know.. because of this statement, all debates will be under this set up condition. There are better ways to describe something for a debate. It's using this term to force a "new knowledge" to public

[NAGANEGUS]

@ApathyPersonified.. I just had enough of Caucasian politic making opinion to find a loophole to interfere with other nation internal affairs; China did not come with military, they came with $Billions, engineering & scientist ready to uplift Africa & to create jobs. For Western nation to make an opinion in writing's book which include a words " China is invade Africa" is a strategic way to find to bring humanitarian crisis words in United Nation (CIA) meeting to halt China.

[ApathyPersonified]

@choikyo "But is this picture really fair?" ...Didn't you read that part? Two sides.

[ApathyPersonified]

@NAGANEGUS This is a debate. It has no real impact. Why turn this into a race issue?

[NAGANEGUS]

Africa should not look to Europe & America; should look to Brazil, Russia, India & China. This racist white group should not right to make a rules & decision for Black race in Africa, they are part of our race & they are not part of Black race to interfere in Black race internal Affairs.

[uoxleonard]

What a white man hates a black man should love 

[choikyo]

"We all know that the Chinese are the neo-colonialists of Africa." Even the first word in the Info text is not a correct term.... man, give a break and do something. U guys don't even understand what the difference between fair trade and colonialism is.