[ti:Analysts See African Backlash Against China] [ar:Christopher Cruise] [al:Economics Report] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]From VOA Learning English, [00:02.56]this is the Economics Report. [00:04.94]Ghana arrested more than 100 Chinese nationals this month, [00:09.62]they were accused of illegally mining gold. [00:13.08]In February, Zambia seized a Chinese mine [00:17.45]because of safety concerns. [00:19.40]And Gabon is set to seize property [00:23.29]from three foreign oil companies [00:25.88]- including one from China. [00:27.87]Some observers say these and other incidents [00:32.10]appear to be part of reaction by African government [00:35.99]against Chinese investment on the continent. [00:39.82]China became Africa¡¯s top trade partner in 2009. [00:44.06]Yet some Africans believe [00:46.81]they are exporting valuable resources to China [00:50.44]but not getting enough in return. [00:53.13]Bright Simons is the director of development research [00:57.61]with the IMANI group. [00:59.56]He says China is no longer known only for giving loans [01:04.14]and sending workers to build hospitals and roads. [01:08.08]He says China is now a business partner. [01:11.71]"My view is that it has just gone to another phase, [01:14.64]a more mature phase, where Africans are much more sober [01:18.78]about what it will take to engage China on a level playing field." [01:23.45]Ghana has taken steps against foreigners [01:25.84]involved in small-scale gold mining, also called "shallow mining." [01:31.63]Only Ghanaians can get government approval for this kind of mining. [01:37.15]Bright Simons says Ghanaians then "rent" the permits to foreigners [01:43.17]who have the money and training to actually get the gold. [01:48.14]Observers say nations like Niger and Gabon, [01:52.07]just want to get more for their natural resources [01:55.55]- more money for the state, more local jobs and better living conditions. [02:02.62]Worldwide demand for oil, coal, iron ore and uranium [02:08.55]has made their negotiation position stronger. [02:12.04]Some nations are also concerned about abusive or illegal operations. [02:18.95]Ben Payton is an Africa expert for the risk study group Maplecroft, [02:24.97]he says ties between China and African governments [02:29.10]are for the most part "very good and getting stronger." [02:34.33]But he says the reported poor treatment of local workers [02:38.06]by Chinese businesses could test those relations. [02:43.04]"In places like Zambia, like Ghana, there¡¯s a lot of resentment [02:47.28]towards the Chinese and a lot of pressure on the government [02:50.23]to avoid granting concessions to Chinese companies. [02:54.20]In the longer term, pressure from below really [02:56.74]is going to be the challenge for the China-Africa relationship." [02:59.63]He says African nations are limiting the number of foreign employees [03:04.21]and demanding that investors process natural resources locally. [03:09.09]In Gabon, the government says it is planning not to extend operating promises [03:16.61]for oil fields held by three companies, including Addax, [03:21.94]which is part of China¡¯s Sinopec. [03:24.52]The government blames Addax for reducing Gabon¡¯s cut of the profits. [03:30.67]Addax has denied this. [03:33.76]Ben Payton says this dispute shows Gabon¡¯s desire [03:38.34]to get more from its own natural resources. [03:42.32]Despite the recent problems, most experts believe the partnership [03:47.21]between China and African will grow [03:49.99]- but perhaps on more equal terms. [03:53.03]And that¡¯s the Economics Report, [03:55.72]I¡¯m Christopher Cruise. [03:58.89]¸ü¶àÌýÁ¦Çë·ÃÎÊ51voa.com