Is China A Resources Curse Or A Resource Cure?

• Should Africa be wary of China’s continued investment across the continent? Who stands to benefit from this arrangement, and who stands to suffer?

It is this that has sparked China’s vulnerability to external shocks. In 2011, China’s exports amassed almost $2 trillion, however in Feb 2012, China recorded a $31.5 billion trade deficit as a result of the European sovereign debt crisis in which China’s main trading partners plunged into recession. China’s severe BOGS decrease is an attempt to control growth and a sustained level of 7.5%. Investment policies are also critical for China to achieve economic growth and development. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in China is being sought primarily in the redesign of State Owned Enterprises (SOE’s) and in the development of interior provinces. Between 75-80% of World Bank loans to China in 2008 were directed to the central and western regions, the most economically disadvantaged. This promotes increased wealth within China, leading to higher levels of development due to a more positive Human Development Index (HDI), which currently sits at 0.687, up from 0.677 in 2010. Thus, trade and investment are critical factors in ensuring that China’s growth remains sustained at 7.5% whilst still encouraging increases in development.

The Congolese who mine these materials do not even know what they are extracting, and have no use for them in their daily lives. In spite of the fact that the Congo is blessed with a wealth of common assets, including diamonds, gold, cobalt, copper, tin and tantalum, this valuable focal point is not utilized to expand on the nations riches as a result of the little advancement that has happened since

In Susan Shirk’s book ‘Fragile Superpower’, the author illustrates that the multitude of internal problems that China faces and will continue to face could potentially undermine its peaceful rise. Although the Chinese people have experienced a major upgrade in their living standards in just twenty-five years, the Chinese economic transformation has not been without significant social and environmental costs. As a consequence of its economic transformation, China has developed a number of internal stresses, which have posed existential threats to its national economy and political structure. One of these stresses is a growing shortage of natural resources in China. One significant systemic level cause for the rise in Chinese developmental finance

This article is relevant to the economic environment due to the direct correlation of China’s slowing economic growth to Rio Tinto’s profit. China’s GDP growth in the first decade of 2000 averaged 10.5% (Jain 2014) but declined to 7.4% in 2014 (World Bank 2014). As China rapidly transitioned into a newly industrialised economy in the early 1990s, she successfully increased the key factors of economic growth: labour, capital and productivity, which ultimately led to the rapid economic growth figures stated above (Angang 2005, p.28). However, as China matures these factors have become increasingly subdued (Yuan 2012, pp. 6-7), causing the government to decrease spending on infrastructure (Garnaut 2015). Consequently, China’s demand for iron ore has declined, resulting in harsh drops in the price of iron ore, ultimately causing Rio Tinto’s 80% decline in profit (ABC 2015).

Since gaining its independence from Belgium in the 1960’s, the DRC has found itself in constant conflict, subject to violent governmental change, civil war, refugee influx, and other volatile and bloody events (The World Factbook). In past years, many countries around the world exploited the Congo’s instability for its wealth of minerals. By funding militaries around Africa, countries such as the United States and Western corporations gained cheap access to materials as people were slaughtered. These circumstances, still impact the DRC today. With sexual violence and political violence still existing at large within the country, it is a challenge deeply ingrained into the lives of many (Queryranne). Currently, because of political conflict within society, the economic growth has decreased in recent years. Despite the plethora of resources, the economic growth lost 1.5% (9.2 to 7.7%) from the year 2014 to 2015. It has only decreased from there. However, with free elections expected soon, economic growth is projected to grow (Democratic Republic of Congo Economic Outlook). Unfortunately, due to delays and corruption, one can predict that economic growth and political peace may only decrease with the coming governmental change. However, with a bounty of resources, there is hope yet for the nation of

A common criticism that “Arrival” receives is that it teetered along the lines of binarism. in other words The Americans were the “good guys” and the Chinese were the “bad guys”, the problem with this argument lies within the premise that China is “bad” because it wanted to protect itself from an unknown threat. A more realistic explanation of China’s choice to take military action against the alien visitors was because General Shang had the standpoint that allowed him to think in a “better safe than sorry” point of view. This is why standpoint theory is so critical in properly understanding the film. Each character has their own standpoint that directs them to see the world in a certain way. Going back to the case of General Shang, he comes

If everyone the planet lived my lifestyle, we would need 10.52 earths. When, I saw my result at first I thought it was an exaggeration, so I went back and redo the questionnaire two times because I couldn’t believe I was being extremely inconsiderate and super wasteful. What I was extremely shocked about was my percentage of carbon footprint, which is 91.4. Carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gasses produced to directly and indirectly support human activity, i.e... Petrol, gasoline, diesel, oil, etc…. If I had to reduce something, it would be the amount of energy I use. For example, turn off the lights when I'm not in the room, or disconnect chargers that aren’t being used. For instincts, when my laptop is fully charged not

China has a network of lakes, ponds, reservoirs, streams and rivers spread all over the country. Inland water area totals is about 17.5 million ha, almost 1/50 of the land area. Annual rainfall in China is about 6,000 billion m3, of which 2,600 billion m3 forms the country's water resources.

New taxes are always worrisome, and the Australian government's recent decision to pass a 30 percent tax on profits from iron ore and coal have left many investors scurrying in search of other investment opportunities in alternate countries with lower tax rates and labor costs (Scott 2011). However, simply looking at a balance sheet to determine average tax rates and wages is only a small component of deciding whether a country is a worthwhile investment. With this caveat in mind, it must be cautioned that the proposed decision to shift resources to investing in the coal mining sector in Colombia and the iron ore sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo is neither viable nor cheaper in the long run. In fact, given the marked political instability in both regions, such a move could cause great potential losses.

Majority of the people employed in the coltan mining industry are impoverished and low-skilled with about 8-10 million people (roughly 16% of the DRC population) dependant on this activity for survival (Bleischwitz et al 2012: 11). On top of earning only about $1-5 USD per day, most of these miners are also in dire debt to local traders and higher-level authorities (Bleischwitz et al 2012: 11). Armed conflict, poverty, and economic instability force most of the people of the DRC into the mining industry (Garrett & Lintzer 2010: 401). Coltan mining in the Congo has thus, caused death to become a currency in order for efficient capital flow within the group of digital distributors and investors (Mantz 2008: 37).

The sheer size of China alone makes it difficult to ignore but China is actively beginning to take on a key role in the world scene with its growing economy, vibrant culture, and rising sense of national pride. China is beginning to take on the role of helping developing nations and it is doing so with “an encouraging push from the Chinese government” (French 2). China has even become “Africa’s largest trading partner” because of the vast migration of Chinese people all across Africa. This migration of people to Africa not only benefits the Chinese, but many African countries are

The president of China, Xi Jinping talked with Equatorial Guinea’s President, Teodo Obiang about making the relationship that they had now into an all-round partnership. This new and improved friendship will include trust, cooperation, and the equality for the people living in those countries. They will also use this friendship for developing and advancing multiple things. China will now encourage their enterprises to invest in Equatorial Guinea. They will also help with financial problems and funding issues. President Xi benefits greatly from this friendship. He says that he would look further into E.G.’s education, culture, medical care, and their media. President Obiang will also benefit because he hoped that China would play a bigger role

Today globalization has an impact on all nations. China is a nation that many rely heavily on. This shows an importance with the economical welfare of China. If China has a downturn in its economy other nations are impacted as well. China contributed “19% of the world's economic growth in 2010, and that's expected to increase to 24% this year” (Miller, What If the China Bubble Bursts?). This depicts the impact that china could have on the economical growth of the world. Due to the economical situations within the United States and Europe, China's growing strength is essential for the recovery of U.S. and Europe. A major issue is "if Chinese land prices plummet, there will be less demand for raw materials and a steep decline in world commodity markets and

Over the last 50 years, the world has struggled to maintain an economic balance and stability, while flourishing countries try to maintain a steady income to support its people and relations with other countries. Therefore, when a continent like Africa fails to maintain a stable government and economy, super powers such as America decide to intervene with its relations. Africa has great potential to become another pillar of the world’s economic structure with its mass amounts of uncultivated land. Unfortunately, corruption and irresponsible governments hinder that progress. Foreign aid while helpful should be limited to a yearly amount because it allows the government to repudiate responsibility and gives room for corruption; it creates a