Sensationalism and rhetoric: Chinese-Japanese

“rivalry” in Africa

10 March 2014

CCS COMMENTARY:

Admittedly, in the short term, the competition for attention, resources,

and allegiance from Africa could help corrupt elites throughout the

continent entrench their power. On the other hand, it gives African

governments and companies greater bargaining power when negotiating

international deals (it also takes away some excuses of ”Western

dominance” and thus increases the responsibility of local elites for

development). Growing trade and investment promote economic growth

– some of the fastest growing economies in the world are in Africa – and

forces other countries with vested interests in Africa, the United States

of America, for example, to re-evaluate their Africa strategies and

develop policies that might actually benefit both sides. Above all else, competition between nations for

resources and influence is normal and should not be filtered through the lens of sensationalist rhetoric as this

could have damaging implications for real academic analysis and policy development.

Sensationalism, a staple of China-Japan relations, now in Africa

China and Japan have, over the past year-or-so been engaged in a steadily escalating stalemate over a series of

uninhabitable rocks in the East-China Sea. The hostility this generates and the accompanying outrageous

remarks made by politicians and other commentators has turned sensationalism into a staple of many reports

on relations between the two, especially in their respective domestic media outlets. Indeed, there is an

argument to be made that this sensationalism is actively blocking diplomacy. A growing trend, outlined by Jin

Kai in an article for The Diplomat, is for diplomats from either country to try presenting the other side in an

unflattering light within the international media or in other public settings. Certainly, the most ridiculous

examples were the Harry Potter comparisons in the British media. Liu Xiaoming, Chinese Ambassador to

Britain, wrote an op-ed which compared Japan to Voldemort, the villain from the popular Harry Potter series

of books and films. This was promptly followed by an op-ed from Liu’s Japanese counterpart, Keiichi Hayashi,

who said that, in fact, China is really “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named”. Ultimately, regardless of how apt either

party thought the comparison was at the time, it was an infantile comparison which made both sides look a

little foolish.

Inevitably, this sort of discussion has filtered into reports on Chinese and Japanese engagement with Africa. In

China, Prime Minister Abe’s trip is part of a sinister plot to “contain China in Africa” and cosy up to African

Image: spyghana.com

Shinzo Abe, Japan’s Prime Minister, recently visited Ethiopia, Mozambique and Cote D’Ivoire as part of

his Middle East-Africa tour (Mr Abe also visited Oman). His trip prompted a flurry of media reports

and academic analyses outlining how tensions between Japan and China were spilling over into Africa

and that the continent is now at the centre of a geo-political tug-of-war between the East-Asian powers.

This is very lazy analysis. It is reflective of a Cold War mind-set which sees Africa, not as a collection of

independent states with their own agendas, but as a proxy battleground for the world’s larger

economies to act out their rivalries. For African nations, international competition for natural

resources and geo-political influence is, by and large, a good thing.

The Centre for Chinese Studies (CCS) at Stellenbosch University is the leading African research

institution for innovative and policy relevant analysis of the relations between China and Africa.

For more information, please check the CCS website: www.sun.ac.za/ccs

or contact us under ccsinfo@sun.ac.za

Robert Attwell

Affiliate

Centre for Chinese Studies

Stellenbosch University

states to win votes for Japan’s bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. A

further example of the over-the-top rhetoric coming to Africa was Xie Xiaoyan’s, China’s ambassador to

Ethiopia, identification of Prime Minister Abe as Asia’s biggest “troublemaker” and his dire warnings of

resurgent Japanese militarism – something which, he should have recognised, is pretty low on the list of

African concerns.

Meanwhile, in Japan, Chinese engagement with Africa is reported as being neo-colonial in nature, a resource

grab which benefits the African political elite at the expense of African people. Obviously, neither view is

particularly nuanced. Sensationalism and vitriolic rhetoric do not make for good analysis. Similarly, when

discussing their respective engagement with Africa, there is a danger of over-emphasising the fact that China

and Japan are rivals in East-Asia. This is only one aspect of either country’s interests in the African continent.

Trade, aid, development, investment, security, international business and academic and cultural exchanges

are more important issues for all concerned parties than this Cold War-esque, balance-of-power game which

many media and other commentators seem to think is playing out across the African continent.

The view from Japan

Prime Minister Abe visited Mozambique, Ethiopia and Cote D’Ivoire during his recent Africa tour. Abenomics

– a plan to stimulate the Japanese economy after years of stagnation – was the platform on which Mr Abe was

elected and consequently economic exchange is the primary focus of Japan’s Africa strategy. In all his

meetings with officials from the three countries, he pledged increased official development assistance and

encouraged the deepening of diplomatic and commercial ties. Additionally, he pledged to invest in African

human capital by offering scholarships for African students to study and work in Japan. For Japan, Africa is no

longer just a top destination for ODA but an attractive place to invest. For example, the presence of vast

natural gas deposits in Mozambique is especially attractive to Japan. Ever since the meltdown at Fukushima,

Japanese reliance on nuclear power has become a hot-button issue and the government is finding ways to

diversify Japan’s energy supply. Additionally, Africa’s growing middle class makes the continent attractive to

Japanese manufacturers looking for new markets.

When looking at Chinese and Japanese engagement with Africa, we need to see past the rhetoric and focus,

instead, on the full picture. Making use of opportunities requires a clear head – and Africa has more

important things to focus on than media flurries.