What is the main message of China's Second Continent?

The main message of China's Second Continent is a fascinating exploration of China's presence and impact in Africa.

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The reading time for China's Second Continent depends on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

Who is the author of China's Second Continent?

The author of China's Second Continent is Howard French.

Politics

China's Second Continent Book Summary - China's Second Continent Book explained in key points

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China's Second Continent summary

Name: China's Second Continent
Rating: 3.8 (122 reviews)
Author: Howard French

Howard French

How a Million Migrants are Building a New Empire in Africa

3.8 (122 ratings)

17 mins

Brief summary

'China's Second Continent' by Howard French tells the story of China's growing presence in Africa and the impact it is having on the continent and its people. The book explores the complexities of China-Africa relations and sheds light on the perspectives of both Chinese and African people.

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Table of Contents

China's Second Continent
Summary of 8 key ideas

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Key idea 1 of 8

What’s in it for me? Discover how Africa has become China’s main interest.

Despite being separated by thousands of kilometers and cultural differences, China and the African continent are more closely linked than one might think. Over the last decades, the world’s most populous country has started to take a keen interest in Africa, but it’s not only the Chinese government that has become involved – many Chinese people have actually decided to move to Africa to pursue a better life.

So what does this mean for the people of Africa and the Chinese migrants? While it might seem ideal that an economic superpower like China has embraced a continent that still has much economic development ahead of it, the full story isn’t quite as straightforward. It’s a story that plays out on many levels: geopolitical, economic and on a personal level as well.

In these blinks, you’ll discover

how there will be more people in Africa than Asia by 2050;
why a Chinese farmer moved to Mozambique; and
how the main streets of Dakar, Senegal can feel more Chinese than African.

China has benefited greatly from globalization, but still faces many social problems.

Everyone has seen the phrase “Made in China” stamped on a product at some point. China might seem to be the world's factory, but it hasn't always been that way. Chinese products actually began spreading in the 1970s, when China started reaping the benefits of the first wave of globalization.

Today, China is the fastest-growing economy in the world, thanks largely to the Western companies that have relocated their production there after the ‘70s. It was more profitable for such companies to produce goods in China because of the country’s large pool of human resources and its different political climate.

In fact, 40 percent of the world's economic growth over the last two decades has come from China alone. Over the same period, the Chinese economy has maintained an average annual growth rate of 10.2 percent – and it's no longer satisfied with just being the world's factory. China is now stepping up as a major player in international politics and is ready to shape the global market.

Economic progress hasn't improved the lives of all Chinese people, however, and many still want to leave the country. Several of the Chinese people interviewed by the author described the intense social pressure they're under at home. Overpopulation, the one-child policy (which limits couples to having only one child) and harsh competition in the workplace have left many Chinese people frustrated with their society.

Hao, a Chinese man who started his own farm in Mozambique, was very clear about his dislike for the social system he left behind. He and many others have emigrated from China, where they can't get ahead because of widespread corruption and the extreme gap between rich and poor. These migrants relocate so they can have more opportunities for advancement, but also to find new homes for their families.

With its rapid growth, China needs a new place to expand to, and it's found the perfect spot: Africa.

The Chinese government has already been strategically strengthening its ties to Africa for the last 20 years.

For the last several years, Africa hasn't received much attention from the West. Few Western delegates pay regular visits, but Chinese politicians do, and often.

Countries across Africa are at a critical point right now. African economies are growing quickly and soon the continent as a whole will overtake China's growth rate. Africa's demographics are also changing: it is predicted that by 2050, there will be more people in Africa than in Asia.

Chinese migrants have had a profound impact on Chinese-African relations.

There are currently over one million Chinese people living in Africa and they've built a strong network of contacts back home, encouraging ever more and more to make the same move. So what exactly is the appeal?

As the social situation in China deteriorates, many are starting to view Africa as their only hope. A lot of Chinese people who move to Africa want to establish new lives for themselves and their families and they can do that with greater ease if, for example, their sons marry African women.

Chinese migrants and African locals both have prejudices against each other, but know their partnership could be very beneficial.

It's not uncommon to hear Chinese migrants in Africa make racist statements like “blacks are lazy.” Africans, on the other hand, often complain that the Chinese are taking over their communities and lack basic respect for their culture. These prejudices exist for a number of reason.

One reason is that Chinese migrants are often uneducated and uninterested in their host cultures. Many of the migrants the author interviewed lacked basic knowledge about the African countries they were living in. They tended to know little about their cultures, sometimes not even knowing what language they spoke. Hao didn't even know which countries border Mozambique.

China often exploits African resources, which causes a lot of political tension in African communities.

Mozambique is one of the most fertile countries in the world. Its soil is so rich that the jungle would take over cropland in a matter weeks if it wasn't kept at bay. Local tribes have cultivated this land for centuries, but many now feel the Chinese are stealing it.

Many territorial disputes like this one stem from legal problems and a disregard for the rights of tribes who use the land. In most Western countries, one has to buy land from the state, but in Mozambique, tribes have farmed for generations without having state-sanctioned ownership of their land.

Chinese businesses and workers are rapidly increasing their presence and power in African economies.

Not all Chinese migrants are wealthy business owners. Many of them are used to what the Chinese call “eating bitter”: doing very hard work to sustain themselves and their families. The economic differences among Chinese migrants also have an effect on their relationships with the locals.

In Senegal, Chinese migrants have taken over nearly all of the country’s trade in recent years. As recently as 15 years ago, if you walked down the main streets of Dakar, you'd see a beautiful scene with small cafes and restaurants. The same area is now overrun with shops selling cheap mobile phones, jewellery and other tourist souvenirs that break right after you buy them.

In the more corrupt African countries, the Chinese government makes backroom deals that don't benefit local populations.

Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world. The Malian government is highly corrupt, and often makes secret deals with the Chinese government. These deals don't benefit the local people at all – only the leaders’ themselves benefit.

The Chinese government often takes advantage of corrupt African governments in this way to secure more business deals and resources. Beijing hasn't established itself as a big creditor or business partner for Africa; rather, they have gained their influence through corrupt methods like paying off government workers to negotiate behind closed doors. They also don't involve any NGOs or other organizations that monitor negotiations and protect the interests of locals.

The Chinese government is building a new kind of empire in Africa.

When you hear the word “empire,” you might imagine the once-sprawling political and colonial spheres of Britain or France. The Chinese government isn't using that strategy in Africa, but the scope of their control and influence is still starting to resemble that of an empire.

In the past, empires could only be established through force. European powers colonized Africa by swooping in with their militaries and asserting economic and political domination. They oppressed the locals, then took their resources and sent them away.

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What is China's Second Continent about?

China's Second Continent (2014) is about the mass wave of Chinese migrants who have relocated to Africa in the last few decades. These blinks trace the origins of this migration and outline the profound impact it has on both regions, Chinese-African relations and the world at large.

China's Second Continent Review

China's Second Continent (2014) explores China's growing presence in Africa and the profound impact it has on both continents. Here's why this book is a fascinating read:

With meticulous research and firsthand accounts, it reveals the complexities of the Sino-African relationship, exposing both the opportunities and challenges.
Through vivid storytelling and personal narratives, the book humanizes the individuals involved, providing a nuanced understanding of their motivations and experiences.
By delving into various sectors, such as infrastructure, agriculture, and trade, it highlights the far-reaching consequences of China's engagement in Africa, providing valuable insights for global politics.

Who should read China's Second Continent?

Students of Chinese or African politics
Anyone interested in international relations
Anyone curious about the long-term influence of mass migration

About the Author

Howard W. French is a professor of journalism and photography at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He served as a foreign correspondent for the New York Times for 23 years and has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

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