Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., recently commented on recent reports regarding China’s human rights abuses of African workers in several African countries such as Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria and Rwanda.
“Possible cases do not represent the real situation of Chinese companies in Africa,” Pengyu told State Newswire. “China-Africa cooperation is mutually beneficial in nature.”
Since the founding of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Pengyu said Chinese companies have built or upgraded more than 10,000 kilometers of railway and nearly 100,000 kilometers of highway, which has created over 4.5 million jobs. China has also become the fourth largest investor in Africa, with the stock of Chinese direct investment in the country exceeding $43.4 billion.
Pengyu said the mutual relationship had been furthered with the Chinese government promoting the establishment of the Alliance of Chinese Business in Africa for Social Responsibilities.
“Enterprises are always encouraged to actively cooperate with African development strategies, integrate into local society, actively fulfill their social responsibilities, give back to local people, and contribute to the independent and sustainable development of African countries,” he said. “A recent report by well-known African pollster Afrobarometer shows that China ranks first in terms of external influence in Africa, with 63 percent of Africans saying the economic and political influence of China in their country is ‘somewhat positive’ or ‘very positive’, and 66 percent perceiving China's economic and political influence in Africa as positive.”
Multiple reports have detailed examples of Chinese managers abusing local African workers, VOA News states. This has included physical abuse, sexual harassment, child labor, racist slurs and even an attempted murder.
A 2022 BBC documentary shed light on how a video was being circulated on Chinese social media in 2020 that showed African children being told to shout in Chinese, “I am a black monster and my IQ is low.”
Concerns about human rights violations come as China attempts to extend its influence in Africa through largely investing in mining operations, according to Tipp Insights. It is estimated that between 2018-2020, China spent approximately $54 billion on projects located in Sub-Saharan Africa.
