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Meeting Summary
Simon Maxwell, in the chair, explained that this was the
seventh and final meeting in the joint IDS, IIED and ODI 'Development
Horizons' series.
John Humphrey
John Humphrey started by highlighting the fact that China
is no longer an aid beneficiary of Europe and the UK, but
a development partner. He argued that there are three main
challenges to international development policies stemming
from this (slide 3). The
UK and Europe should pay particular attention to these challenges
and how to work with China on them. He asserted that it was
dangerous to assume that the UK and Europe could change the
Chinese agenda.
Humphrey saw aspects to Chinese power which the West could
seek to influence: economic power and soft power.
In describing Chinese economic power, Humphrey highlighted
the massive influence it has as a trading partner. There is
seen to be a 'scramble' for Africa by China but Humphreys
argued that within Africa there is also a corresponding scramble
to realise the potential of the Chinese market. He emphasised
the influence China also enjoys as a result of African infrastructure
investment, as well as the loans and debt relief it provides.
He stated that this economic power is not on the scale that
the Triad Economies had asserted, but it is unexpected.
Humphrey's view that China's perceived soft power comes not
from what it currently is, but perceptions of what it will
be, i.e. the nation to challenge and possibly usurp the United
States. China has acquired it's current and growing position
from a non-standard model of development, Humphrey asserted,
which also threatens and undermines the West's belief in other
development models . He described the hypocrisy of both the
West and Japan in questioning the role of China in the development
of Africa, highlighting in particular the arguments they posit
about conditionality. These were not dissimilar from the conditionality
imposed by these nations themselves on Japan with regard to
whaling and the US' focus on Security Council members with
regard to its aid and development agenda (slide 9).
Humphrey went on to describe that the developed world view
China as needing to be 'tamed' (slide 10). This, Humphrey
argued, is why they are trying to bring China in line with
their own development practices, for example, involvement
with the DAC; involvement in other Donor groups; and following
their lead on international situations. He assessed China
as being reluctant to submit to these pressures, for fear
of being perceived as sub-subservient.
Humphrey suggested instead that developed nations should
try to engage, understand and work with China. He argued that
UK and European policy should be:
- To appreciate that China is still very new on the development
scene and may not have the skills, knowledge and experience
from which the UK and Europe benefit
- To engage in dialogue with groups that influence Chinese
policymakers;
- Interactions between the UK, Europe and China should be
multi-faceted and should include engagement by both governments,
NGOs, think tanks and scholars
- To help build links between China and Africa using the influence
and experience of the UK and Europe
- Perhaps most importantly, for Europe to act as a united
front in its engagement with China
He ended by stating that China is just starting to understand
the impact of its rapidly changing status on the rest of the
world, and the UK and Europe need to be partners rather than
competitors in this process.
Lauren Phillips
Lauren Phillips opened her comments by agreeing with John
Humphrey on most points and discussing some of the questions
as to why China matters in the international system. Similarly
to Humphrey, she believed the real power that China holds
currently is that it has the ability to transform the international
political order.
She went on to discuss international relations theory, especially
with regard to China's role in Africa (slide
4). On the one hand, Realists are concerned that China's
new role in Africa is a sign to the West of it's global intentions.
Whereas Liberals feel that China's position may undermine
the current rules of the international society.
She then discussed how Realists are focused on the balance
of power, which gives rise to three situations:
- When balances of power are shifting - this is the most
unstable situation for the international system
- When there are two major powers which gives rise to a bipolar
system - this is thought to be more stable, as each power
acts as a check on the other
- When there is one major power which gives rise to a unipolar
system - this is seen to be moderately stable, though its
longevity is questionable
Phillips then posed the question of how China's rapid growth
and corresponding power might be interpreted using international
relations theory. She asserted that it would probably be asserted
that this level of growth could act to destabilise the current
global order. This would be dependant on whether China acts
as a revisionist or a status quo state (slide
6).
Phillips then focused on the evidence available to analyse
China's conduct according to the rules and norms of the international
system, compared to that of the West. She felt that China
had acted similarly to its Western counterparts in all areas,
possibly with the exception of human rights, though she added
that it was difficult to draw any firm conclusions at this
early stage.
She concluded that there is no easy answer to the question
of the effect of rapid Chinese growth, though she did feel
that China could have the capacity to transform the international
system, but only in co-operation with the EU, US and Asia.
This was because China's current power is primarily the result
of economic growth, in which these regions are all important
partners.
Discussion
In the discussion which followed, the following points and
questions were raised:
- China is not as powerful in Africa as is perceived, being
only Africa's third largest trading partner
- Could the impact on African agriculture, as a result of
Chinese agricultural policies, be the same as that on industry
in Latin America?
- It must not be forgotten that China may also want to influence
African domestic policies
- China may not always have correct/beneficial policies when
dealing with Africa but could those of the developed world
be described as such?
- Conditionality is still an important factor in the current
discussions between the EU and China
- China is promoting the status quo in its dealings with
Latin America because of the US presence there, so possibly
if another power challenged China in Africa this may result
in a change
- The main issue with regard to China is the West's struggle
to accept that China has become the new global economic force
- In the past, China saw the US as a competitor, but there
is increasing evidence that it is now viewing the US as a
partner
- The West primarily sees itself as a responsible power,
whereas China views itself primarily as an economic power
- The importance of China's possible role in Darfur and possible
change in approach as a result of recent events
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