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The clash of the super-powers – ANC to discuss US, China relations in

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The clashing ideologies of two of the world’s super-powers, China and the US, will take centre stage at discussions about foreign policy at the up-coming African National Congress (ANC) National General Congress (NGC) 2015.

Policy discussion document released ahead of the NGC are highly critical of the US, calling it responsible for an international “casino economy,” with leaders within the ruling party accusing the US of feeding terrorist activities. On the other hand, China is seen as an increasingly attractive partner for Africa when it comes to individual economies and infrastructure development in particular, a rising giant economy, with the party denying vehemently that Africa is facing a second colonisation by Asia.

Tensions with the US

In its policy documents, the ruling party speaks of what is currently a “unipolar” world with the US in charge of global economic developments. It is highly critical of the US and says: “History is testimony that the US (is) effectively using its aggressive foreign policy to advance its national interest. In most instances, it has been supporting undemocratic changes of government as an instrument to serve its global agenda.”

Speaking at a media briefing on, amongst others, foreign policy issues ahead of the ANC NGC in October,the ANC’s Ayanda Dlodlo said it had to be noted that just because the ANC disagrees with the US’ stance on some issues, it does not mean it disagrees with all of them.

“If you look at what we agree on and what we disagree on, the balance would be towards agreeing,” said Dlodlo.
However, the Chairperson of the ANC’s subcommittee on International Relations, Obed Bapela, noted a number of examples where the US used aggressive foreign policy to further their interest in countries like Iran. “They dominate and push everyone when it is in their own interest,” said Bapela.

Significantly, he stated that the bulk of arms being used by terrorists in countries such as Iraq and Libya, are of US origin.
Dlodlo also spoke of the proliferation of arms globally and that, unlike during the liberation years, where arms were supplied by the Soviet block and Asia and used to bring about democracy, NATO and US arms are now being used to feed instability across the globe. She says the result is a rise in terrorism and a firm entrenchment of the ISIS body, with the origin of activities destabilising Africa being the NATO block.

China extending its global reach

Dlodlo says South Africa’s relationship with China has reached a new height, but she does not believe the Asian country has an appetite to colonise Africa. She says: “we are vigilant and have a bunch of leaders in Africa who will not constitute being colonised by anyone.” She also pointed to the presence of a strong civil society that would guard against Chinese interest trumping African interests on the continent.

Bapela says Africa has to date had to deal with colonisation by the EU where European nations impose conditions instead of talking to Africans. He says there is a powerful contestation for markets in Africa by the EU, US, and China, and African countries need to be vigilant in this regard.

He cited examples where government had stepped in to prevent Chinese dominance in key sectors, such as the textiles industry, where it imposed tariffs in order to protect local business interests.

According to Bapela, “there will always be disagreements in nations on how to further their own interest and African countries need to stand strong.”

In its policy discussion documents, the ANC says: “China’s economic trajectory remains a leading example of the triumph of humanity over adversity. The exemplary role of the collective leadership of the Communist Party of China should be a guiding lodestar of our own struggle.”

It notes a shifting balance of forces globally with the emergence of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) alliance, amongst others, something Bopela describes as a positive move towards a multi-polar balance of power.
The discussion documents say that while the abuses of the West of its power paints a gloomy picture, “the rise of emerging economies, led by China in the world economy, has heralded a new dawn of hope for further possibilities of a new world order.”
Looking towards the youth

The ANC policy discussion documents’ focus on the youth as key to a change in global power was echoed in the pre-NGC press conference.

In its policy discussion documents, the party points out that while Africa has the second fastest growing population, it is also the world’s youngest continent when it comes to the average population age.

“Our continent faces the biggest burden of (the) youth unemployment crisis,” it states. “The growing discontent amongst the youth in the continent could lead to explosive conditions that result in social upheavals, violence, and therefore deepening political instability.”
This sentiment is echoed locally, where the ANC accedes in its policy documents that “high unemployment among young people, combined with urbanisation, have created a large swath of marginalised and alienated youth – with major implications for social stability.”

At the end of the day though, the ANC policy documents maintain, “the capitalist market economy cannot resolve its own contradictions.

“Western economies have become the epicentre of the world financial crisis.”

– By Christelle du Toit

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