SINCE THE fall of the Soviet Union, the United States has experienced a sort of hegemony over the world as its lone superpower and dominant economic force. In recent years, however, the People's Republic of China has closed the gap. We see this most readily in economic terms as China's GDP experienced real growth of 10.5 percent and the value of the yuan against the dollar rose from 8.1943 to 7.97 yuan per dollar in the last year. As its economy grows, China seeks increased foreign influence and reaches out to new parts of the world, particularly Africa. The United States ought to be wary of increasing Chinese influence, as its financial clout and permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council make it a rival superpower, if not in the antagonistic mold of the former USSR. The United States, moreover, has a responsibility and a national interest in seeing China held to the same standards as the U.S. in terms of moral conduct in its international dealings.
We can see the influence Chinese money has through China's success in relations with developing countries, particularly in Africa. Chinese Premier Hu Jintao spent the last few weeks touring countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia and Sudan. This visit came after Hu hosted a summit for African nations last year. He also visited the continent three times in his four years in office. In each of the aforementioned countries, China's economic power gives it favorable inroads with national leadership. In Zambia, for example, China promised increased investment in mines, factories and other building projects to the tune of $800 million. It began negotiating with Zimbabwe a loan of $2 billion. The nature of Zimbabwe's economy makes this less an investment than a show of goodwill, as the country experiences unemployment of nearly 80 percent and inflation of over 900 percent. Sudan, China's third-largest source of oil according to Forbes Magazine, will continue to receive a lot of business, as China consumes much of its oil production. In fact, over 70 percent of Sudan's exports go to China. In return, China gave the country an interest-free loan, and has promised to build schools and a new palace for the president.
Through these dealings with Africa, China demonstrates an aptitude for scratching the backs of economic allies and looks to be currying favor in a part of the world neglected by the West. The problem with such maneuvering is that China shows a ruthless proclivity toward disregarding international opinion and pursuing its own economic gain in dealings with countries, despite international condemnation.
The two best examples of this behavior are China's dealings with Iran and Sudan. These interactions exhibit several commonalities. Both sell oil to China. Both have come under international criticism last year: Iran for purportedly developing nuclear weapons and supporting terrorist groups, Sudan for the ongoing genocide in Darfur.
In both cases, China leveraged its position on the United Nations Security Council to protect its trade partners. For Sudan, another country from which China procures much of its oil, China used (and still uses) its position on the Security Council to block sanctions in response to the Sudanese prosecution of the conflict in Darfur. While calling for "dialogue," the Chinese effectively prevent United Nations aid from reaching those terrorized by the Sudanese government.
The Chinese need to learn from lessons the United States learned in the past. The United States faces tremendous scrutiny for its actions, especially when it acts unilaterally. China ought to face the same sort of international pressure for its intransigence on Iran and the Sudan. The international community should focus more on keeping its new global power accountable for its actions.
How can this be done in a country without opposition parties? The answer must come from economics. The U.N. could offer incentives for China to reduce trade with unsavory partners. Unfortunately, should incentives fail, the U.S. or U.N. could only use measures both unorthodox and somewhat illegitimate, such as supporting opposition parties in China or working without the Chinese to institute sanctions. The growth of Chinese power ought to be watched carefully to make solutions expedient and as painless as possible.
Robby Colby's column appears Thursdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at rcolby@cavalierdaily.com.
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