The top US military commander in charge of US troops in Africa is worried about China’s growing presence on the continent, he suggested in remarks in a congressional hearing on Tuesday.
Marine General Thomas Waldhauser said in his remarks to lawmakers that China could theoretically cut off supplies to a US base in the northeast African nation of Djibouti, if they “took” the port there.
“If the Chinese took over that port, then the consequences could be significant,” Waldhauser was quoted by Reuters as saying during the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee hearing.
“There are some indications of [China] looking for additional facilities, specifically on the eastern coast … So Djibouti happens to be the first – there will be more,” Waldhauser said.
In response, China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the notion that Beijing would aim to exclude a third party from access to the port.
“We hope that the US side can objectively and fairly view China’s development and China-Africa cooperation,” ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a daily news briefing.
Tillerson criticizes China’s Africa investments
Speaking at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson previewed his upcoming visit to Africa, while comparing America’s and China’s approaches to relations with African countries.
“The United States pursues, develops sustainable growth that bolsters institutions, strengthens rule of law, and builds the capacity of African countries to stand on their own two feet,” Tillerson said.
He added that the US model “stands in stark contrast to China’s approach, which encourages dependency using opaque contracts, predatory loan practices, and corrupt deals that mire nations in debt and undercut their sovereignty, denying them their long-term, self-sustaining growth.”
The top US diplomat said he would be visiting five nations on an upcoming trip to Africa, namely Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Chad and Nigeria.
Djibouti, he said, is “a very critical trading route for the world’s economy and a critical partner in securing that trading route.”
Hate and disrespect to the followers of the Pedophile prophet.
Jeez, who cares. Let the Chinese waste their money in Africa. I foresee many civil wars; when the loans default and China starts taking… this is fantastic.
Yeo…you must not be from the intellectual circle of influence in your establishment…should you live under communist rule…no freedom….no progress…no advancement…generic life…go back to school…learn about government
Let freedom ring
Keep China in their own country…let them continue to poison their water, air and soil . They produce inferior products for the world but expect to be reveled as..GOOD SUMARITANS….they are a greedy, godless entity in a world of economic powers…stsy there and solve your own poisons. You will only meet terrible resistance from sovern nations vying for freedom
Rajen Chetri Who was draining the wealth of Africa (including slaves) for centuries???
Rajen Chetri yes its true..so do my beloved country..china is more bully than america..if there is no US theres no democracy..
Nothing
China being the world’s most populous country needs lots of earnings to feed it’s people , at home they have already utilized their resources to the optimal level so now they are eying africa to exploit the natural resources of the country in the name of multinational corporations, trade and financial benefits to the people there but in disguise the sole motive behind is to drain the wealth of africa. It is a matter of grave concern that the developed nations has failed to follow the path to sustainable development
If nations are agreeing to this – He added that the US model “stands in stark contrast to China’s approach, which encourages dependency using opaque contracts, predatory loan practices, and corrupt deals that mire nations in debt and undercut their sovereignty, denying them their long-term, self-sustaining growth.” – how bad are the alternative plans and how hard should it be to come-up with better deals? If so, why the lack of competition?
Forget to ask, "and what do you call Russia….a friend of the oppressed?"
If the US is a bully and so bad as most of you have said, then tell me one thing, "why do some many foreigners want to come to the USA, either legally or illegally?" I think you may have been reading pure propoganda.
love and respect to china from pakistan.
Jojo Macapagal Ha ha. For centuries, the West has been exploiting Africa’s natural resources and has probably done nothing to help and developer Africa. At least China is developing the necessary infrastructure in Africa in return for its resources, fair and square. Are you sure that African nations are unhappy with this? Drowning in debts? You are exaggerating. When you borrow from the bank to buy your house, don’t you need to service your loan?
Dags Kipling US is a bigger bully than China. China has no choice but to take drastic actions to secure their access for trade and oil supply since US has surrounded China with 400 military bases to contain China. It is just a response to US aggressiveness and to ensure their survival. There may be US5 trillion dollars of trade plying the SCS but some 80 percent of that involves China.
Echoed Vibes That may very well be true but the loans are purely on commercial terms which the borrower can choose not to accept unlike assistance from the West which subject the borrowers with the hidden agenda of obedience to conform to their system of government, standards of human rights and democracy, which the West themselves only selectively practise. What sort of development and progress have African nations achieved so far with Western help?
You accused the west of exploitation? Well true but china is worse. Lending out money to african countries making them drown in debt that china know they cannot pay. In return china owns african nations natural resources. This is worse than the best work of satan.
China is also a bully country what do u think they are doing in south china occupying everything even inside the exclusive economic zone of the country.bullshit china no.maker of fake goods
Which way is China marching ahead? Is it diiferent from the US in Africa? Create impartial judgement.. All are bullshit.. no less no more.
All this bullshit Western investment ensuring sustainable growth and rule of law can be summed up in a few words "exploitation and subservience of African nations to US". China’s sole foreign military base in Djibouti cannot be compared with and no where near the significance of 400 bases surrounding China. Hypocritical US will do anything to maintain their status as the greatest bully in the world and a serious threat to stability and world peace.