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China’s Second Continent
Book

China’s Second Continent

How a Million Migrants Are Building a New Empire in Africa

Howard W. French
Knopf, 2014

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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Innovative

Recommendation

Howard W. French, previously of The New York Times, delivers a reportorial tour de force on the migration of Chinese entrepreneurs into Africa. All over the continent, China barters infrastructure for resources – building stadiums, bridges and airports in exchange for iron, copper and lumber. More than a million Chinese migrants overstay their project work visas and remain as entrepreneurs, acting in their own interests rather than as part of any overall strategic vision China has in Africa. How Africans view these immigrant businesspeople will shape the continent’s future. In a presentation as streamlined as a travelogue and steeped in history, French interviews an impressively broad range of Chinese business owners, African policy makers, diplomats and social activists in an equally broad range of languages, including Mandarin and Portuguese. From serving as a correspondent in Central Africa to leading a news team in China, French’s editorial and linguistic talents uniquely qualify him to tell this tale. Any reader who appreciates a good story will relish the anecdotal flavor of French’s writing and his poignant conclusions. getAbstract strongly recommends French’s insightful, layered and perceptive report to policy makers, investors and executives concerned about Africa’s socioeconomic landscape.

Take-Aways

  • African nations offer growing markets and abundant natural resources, but they lack capital. China has capital but needs natural resources.
  • State-owned Chinese firms strike backroom infrastructure-for-resource deals with African governments, often funding despotic regimes.
  • Between one and two million Chinese immigrants now live in Africa.

About the Author

Howard W. French, an associate professor at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, worked for The New York Times in Central Africa, Central America, the Caribbean and in China as Shanghai bureau chief.

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    B. L. 10 years ago
    This summary looks like very clear. I could learn the history about the back ground why western and USA gave up the economic entrance to Africa and the Chinese strategy in Africa.
    I wonder if the Chinese policy in Africa will change the life and economy of the people. And hope to improve the democratic in Africa.