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CJCRANE

(18,184 posts) Thu Jun 26, 2014, 09:26 AM Jun 2014

China is BUILDING big things in Africa [View all]

The Chinese are all over Africa building big infrastructure projects like airports, highways, railroads, factories, power stations etc.

They even built a whole city in Angola.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilamba

Why can't we build big things?

49 replies

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China is BUILDING big things in Africa [View all] CJCRANE Jun 2014 OP

It's a pretty awful looking city Armstead Jun 2014 #1

It depends what the locals are used to. CJCRANE Jun 2014 #2

Compared to what, mud huts? Fred Sanders Jun 2014 #41

Compared to something that isn't monolithic blocks of identical ugly buldings Armstead Jun 2014 #44

Architectural criticism is legitimate, but it is the desert, and there is limited money. Fred Sanders Jun 2014 #46

Its a larger qulity of life issue -- same as everywhere Armstead Jun 2014 #48

Because we have no money. onehandle Jun 2014 #3

This message was self-deleted by its author Agschmid Jun 2014 #4

It's a little more than that now: CJCRANE Jun 2014 #5

This message was self-deleted by its author Agschmid Jun 2014 #6

Looks like co-op city. Boom Sound 416 Jun 2014 #7

I think the word you're looking for is "colonizing." Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2014 #8

That only applies if Chinese people are moving there en masse. CJCRANE Jun 2014 #9

Not nessicarily- colonization doesn't require mass movement Lee-Lee Jun 2014 #10

Lots of people like to be paid for oil in cash, which they then use as they wish to use it Bluenorthwest Jun 2014 #15

It's bartering. It's a transaction. It's not colonialism. CJCRANE Jun 2014 #16

Is that what you'd call it if Haliburton had made that deal? Bartering? Bluenorthwest Jun 2014 #20

If it's a transaction with no coercion, then yes. CJCRANE Jun 2014 #32

no they are building infrastructure so they can export, and create an exploited work force. bettyellen Jun 2014 #49

As a opposed to American diplomacy which is to invade or overthrow and install a puppet regime? Fred Sanders Jun 2014 #42

because of the resources like oil and minerals IronLionZion Jun 2014 #11

So you support colonialism? Bluenorthwest Jun 2014 #12

No, I don't. I support builiding infrastructure. CJCRANE Jun 2014 #14

That infrastructure as payment in kind for oil. Not the same as the Marshall plan at all. Bluenorthwest Jun 2014 #17

What have we built in Africa? CJCRANE Jun 2014 #19

You can't change the subject until the subject you raised has been discussed. Bluenorthwest Jun 2014 #22

I never claimed it was charity. Even the Marshall Plan also had loans. CJCRANE Jun 2014 #24

Africa trading it's resources for infrastructure seems to offend the imperialistic spirit. Fred Sanders Jun 2014 #43

Doesn't appear that China is ultimately paying for it Bonx Jun 2014 #13

They are paying for it in labor and expertise. CJCRANE Jun 2014 #18

Doesn't make any sense to me Bonx Jun 2014 #21

I don't think I would want to live in a China-built high rise. Coventina Jun 2014 #23

It depends what conditions the people live in now. CJCRANE Jun 2014 #25

I wouldn't want to maintain them Bonx Jun 2014 #28

I'll bet it's already happening. Coventina Jun 2014 #30

It's interesting to see there are no replies saying "yes we can build big things". CJCRANE Jun 2014 #26

we build big shit all the time, China can buy some more of our articulated trucks LOL snooper2 Jun 2014 #31

That's pretty big! CJCRANE Jun 2014 #34

Yes we can build big things Bonx Jun 2014 #27

The billion-dollar Embassy in Baghdad comes to mind.... Coventina Jun 2014 #29

We could - but Erik Prince isn't on our side anymore JustAnotherGen Jun 2014 #33

We DO build big things: TBF Jun 2014 #35

It costs money and we don't spend money WhiteTara Jun 2014 #36

Political will. Igel Jun 2014 #37

Does anyone live there, or is China just exporting its ghost cities? JHB Jun 2014 #38

america is too busy spending money blowing shit up to build anything KG Jun 2014 #39

Is anyone living in/using them? redqueen Jun 2014 #40

I'm betting they are mostly empty JustAnotherGen Jun 2014 #45

China is going where the cheap labor is Hugabear Jun 2014 #47