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Chinese Development And The Three Gorges Dam

Perhaps the best example of the sweeping effects of economic development in the new China can be observed in the enormous and controversial practice of displacing populations for the construction of major dam and reservoir projects. Between 1949 and 1993, according to the World Bank , 10.2 million people have been forced to move because of water control projects, and with large scale and ambitious damming projects underway at sites like, this number is likely to grow significantly in years to come.

From the paper

Hii Dunia PDF TagCan Civil Liberties and the Legitimacy of a State be Justifiably Suspended for the Sake of Economic Development? (3281)

China and Taiwan in Africa

This article examines how the struggle over the sovernity of the Island of Taiwan has led to fierce Dollar Diplomacy taking place over much of the Continent between the People’s Republic of China and what it considers to be it’s renegade province.

“Before 1971 when the People’s Republic of China replaced Taiwan in the United Nations, the Republic of China (Taiwan) enjoyed recognition from a majority of the nations of the world. However today there are only about 30 countries that recognise Taipei’s claim to nationhood. In Taiwan’s effort for International recognition it has fostered through what some call ‘Dollar Diplomacy’ relationships in Africa which the PRC has found hard to stomach.

The African continent became a Chess board for the game playing itself out between Beijing and Taipei. As a result some African states have become adept at playing the rivals off against one another in order to maiximise their advantage and to gain the largest loan, grant or amount of technological expertise. This game for Africa has been a major determining factor in the politics of Chinese involvement on the continent for much of the 20th century.”

China: In Africa’s Best Interest?

Africa, as host to over 50 developing economies needs a tilting playing field especially in relation to the emerging economic giants of India and China. The newly invigorated trade between China and Africa with over 800 Chinese companies now operating in Africa seems to favour the Chinese, with the balance of trade very much favouring the People’s Republic. Regardless of the ease with which some African governments are able to do business with the Chinese, there is disquiet throughout Africa of the importing of cheap Chinese goods which is having the effect of undermining traditional industries such as textiles. It is now becoming apparent to many in Africa that recent surges in trade during the last ten years come at a cost.

Models of Development – Part Two

This concluding part of ‘Models of Development’ looks at the way we view Development and in particular China’s economic development in contrast to its Human Rights record.

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