SOUTH AFRICA - CHINA'S LAPDOG

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2015 is the Year of the Sheep. However, as far as Africa is concerned, the recently concluded Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, has transformed the Year of the Sheep into the Year of the Dragon. In the spirit of the Dragon, characterised by magnanimity, China's President Xi Jinping pledged $60 billion towards investment in Africa. Although the amount pledged is defined as "investment," $35 billion is earmarked for concessional loans and buyer's credit, with the remaining amount as commercial credit. Delegates attending the summit were delighted with China's commitment to Africa, particularly in light of severe economic problems facing the continent. Delegates were looking to China for financial relief, and China delivered. It would be simple enough to conclude that China's commitment to Africa is predicated on a disinterested and selfless concern for Africa's wellbeing. Altruism, however, is not, and has never been a component of China's foreign policy. China, to paraphrase Confucius, embarked many years ago on a journey of a thousand miles that began with a single step to strategically secure Africa's dependency and servility, economically and politically. China considers the African continent within its sphere of influence. South Africa's relationship with China is illustrative of China's overriding influence in matters of trade, policy and political ties. It is one thing for countries to enjoy a bilateral trade relationship as equal partners. It is another when the ANC government takes the concept of "bilateral trade" to another level when refusing to raise tariffs on cheap steel imports from China to the detriment of domestic producers. It is still another when the ANC government obsequiously prostrates itself to China's bidding, as it did, when refusing a visa to the Dalai Lama. The list of slavishly kowtowing to China shows no signs of abating anytime soon. China's single step policy has, in the case of South Africa, achieved its purpose. It was simply a matter of time until a desperate ANC government reached out for financial and economic lifelines. China has delivered subject to exigent conditions, and at an enormous cost - the dilution of South Africa's sovereignty. The message is loud and clear: China's manipulative and growing influence has ruinous consequences for South Africa.