Brea WaltonApril 15, 2014
How Bloggers are Framing Chinese Input in Ethiopia
Source: http://nazret.com/blog/index.php/2013/06/17/ethiopia-advance-to-world-cup-
africa-playoffs
On April 12, 2014, CCTV Africa News tweets a photo of Chinese and Ethiopian
officials in a meeting discussing relations and progress within both countries. The caption
in the tweet announces, “#China and #Ethiopia agrees to boost trade and diversify
cooperation”. After three decades of aid and investment from China, Ethiopia has
managed to expand economic development and has led up to a seven percent growth rate
in the last year. After tracking the development and progress built in the past few years,
news reporters and journalists have been posting articles about the progressive
partnership between China and Ethiopia. In response to these articles, Ethiopian bloggers
have been posting their opinions with strong remarks on how they feel about the
relationship between China and Ethiopia.
After reading various blog posts, it is evident that a large portion of the people
living in Ethiopia and China believe that China’s contribution in aid and investments are
the root to growth in Ethiopia’s economy. The Ethiopian blogger Sami refers to
China’s assistance in Ethiopia as “God Sent” on nazeret.com. He believes a “Win-
Win situation is the key” and writes, “It is a very simple idea the west never
mentioned in Africa because they are all about greed”. Sami compares the Chinese
support in Ethiopia to Western countries and credits the Chinese government for
helping increase economic development unlike Western countries. Sami believes the
Chinese are not greedy and intends to create growth throughout countries. In
addition, Amora, another Ethiopian blogger on nazeret.com, expresses how “It took
less than a decade to do the work that the West fail to do in hundreds of years
building Africa.” She also explains how “this is the kind of transformation and
economic development Africa has been missing for decades”. Her words show her
support in the Chinese government. They also show her beliefs in a major increase
within Ethiopia’s economic development with the help of China.
Although some bloggers believed China’s contributions are beneficial to
Ethiopia, others questioned the partnership between China and Ethiopia. Chero, a
blogger on nazeret.com expresses that Ethiopia is not growing economically. He
discusses how only government officials in Ethiopia are the only ones benefiting
from the partnership with China and says Ethiopian officials are “making boat load
of money by stealing or corruption”. Hence, Chero’s concerns are the people living
in Ethiopia. Chinese investments in Ethiopia might be successful; however, if the
money from these investments are not benefiting the Ethiopian population then the
country will never grow out of poverty.
All the bloggers bring valid points on the topic of China and Ethiopia.
Bloggers Sami and Amora both compare China to western countries. Historically it
is believed that Western countries intend to only reap natural resources from
Ethiopia, impose democracy onto their government, and ultimately colonize the
Ethiopian land; whereas, China expressed the value of unity and equal benefits
from economic development. Like many Ethiopians, these bloggers may not notice
all of the corrupt or underhanded activities the Chinese have done because the
Chinese approach to Ethiopia is much different from Western countries. Hence, The
outcomes of China’s activities turn out to be the same as Western countries.
Although China may have similar intentions as Western countries, they are not as
apparent to the Ethiopian people. Furthermore, blogger Chero addresses a broader
approach and criticizes not only the Chinese government official but also Ethiopian
government officials. Chero states that Ethiopia is not benefiting from the
investments China has created and suggests that the corruption of stealing
government funds in the Ethiopian government be terminated. Without a stable
government and adequate funding, the rate of poverty in Ethiopia will never cease.
Chero’s comments are most reasonable. He observes Chinese intentions from a
broader stance by not blaming not only China but also Ethiopia.
In conclusion, bloggers are constantly writing their opinions on their
interpretations of the influence China has on Ethiopia and their feedback for solutions to
problems within China and Ethiopia’s partnership. Their opinions are important to view
when researching China and Ethiopia because it gives researchers realistic views on how
other people feel about the topic. Reading their posts and understanding their points of
view is imperative when viewing the relations between Ethiopia and China because they
give insight from many different points of views.
Sources
Source: CCTV Africa/ https://twitter.com/search?q=china%20ethiopia&src=typd
Source: Amora/ http://nazret.com/blog/index.php/2014/01/28/chinese-firms-introducing-new-forms
Source: Sami/ http://nazret.com/blog/index.php/2014/01/28/chinese-firms-introducing-new-forms
Source: Chero/ http://nazret.com/blog/index.php/2014/01/28/chinese-firms-introducing-new-forms
Work Cited
Shinn, David H. "The Official Blog of Amb. David H. Shinn." The Official Blog of Amb. David H. Shinn. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2014.
Dodd, Jan. "Nazret.com." China Builds Power and Influence in Ethiopia. N.p., 26 Aug. 2013. Web. 11 Apr. 2014.
"Nazret.com." Chinese Firms Introducing New Forms of Energy into Ethiopia. N.p., 28 Jan. 2014. Web. 11 Apr. 2014.
Social Networking Sources
CCTV Africa. “#China and #Ethiopia agrees to boost trade and diversity cooperation”. N.p. 12 April 2014. (Accessed: 13 April 2014).