Predatory China makes exploitation, recklessness, aggression its calling card

Fishermen in coastal Argentina have watched bunches of foreign vessels systematically deplete their waters of squid.

- ASHISH SINGH

Thousands of miles away, communities in Zambia's Copperbelt Province have struggled with rivers poisoned overnight by acidic waste from a mine.

Between these two seemingly unrelated crises is a common culprit: China. The country's aggressive pursuit of strategic and economic ambitions has been marked by economic exploitation, ecological damage, and maritime aggression—regardless of geography.

As China rises as a global power, scrutiny of its strategies has intensified. It is widely believed that Beijing's approach—characterised by use of debt traps, neglect of the environment, and military belligerence—threatens not just partner nations, but the world.

DEBT DIPLOMACY

Africa is a pivotal battleground in China's economic expansion, exemplified by the controversial strategy known as "debt-trap diplomacy." China extends large loans under opaque terms to economically vulnerable nations, often creating unsustainable debt burdens.

When countries struggle to repay, China gains strategic leverage, influencing political and economic decisions.

Zambia, owing over $4 billion to Chinese creditors, illustrates this predicament vividly. One of Africa's largest copper producers, the nation has relied heavily on Chinese investment to fund ambitious infrastructure and mining projects.

Yet, ironically, the very loans intended to promote Zambia's economic independence have constrained its sovereignty, limiting its ability to enforce environmental and regulatory standards effectively.

This scenario repeats across Africa. Djibouti, which hosts China's first overseas military base, and Kenya, burdened by debt from Chinese-funded infrastructure, have faced similar sovereignty concerns. According to the World Bank, approximately 40% of Africa's low-income countries now face severe debt distress due to significant debts owed to Chinese lenders.