A report done by Jonathan Paye-Layleh stated that China is often criticized for taking form Africa but giving little back. Well, Liberia might be a different story where Chinese officials are moving into new territory — Chinese language lessons.
China vs America
As in much of Africa, China is heavily engaged in post-war Liberia, rebuilding roads with funding from the World Bank, managing hotels and restaurants, trading in medicines and other businesses.
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CHINA IN AFRICA
- China is Africa’s second-biggest trading partner, behind US
- Between 2002 and 2003 two-way trade doubles to $18.5bn
- By 2008 trade tops $100bn – China exports $51bn, imports $56bn
- Almost all imports come from oil-rich nations: Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, the Republic of Congo, and Sudan
Sources: China Daily, Reuters, Council on Foreign Relations
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Chinese mineral firm China Union became the largest investor in Liberia when it signed a $2.6bn deal to go into iron-ore mining earlier this year.
There is even a Chinese-language radio station broadcasting across the country for the increasing number of migrant workers and expatriates.
The growing trade ties explain why the Chinese embassy and the Ministry of Youth and Sports have decided to put on free two-hour classes in the afternoon, five days a week.
Although attendances for the first few classes were sparse because of torrential rain in Monrovia, the students who did turn up were serious about the task.
John Cooper, 57, from Monrovia, says the lessons reflect Liberia’s changing political allegiances.
“Traditionally Liberians are closer to the Americans than we are to the Chinese, but the irony is that the Chinese are more open to us than the Americans are,” he says.
“If the Chinese stay here with us for about 25 years, it will be good for us.”
A middle-aged woman attending the lessons agrees that the classes are important for the country.
“In Liberia we speak only English and instead of learning French, we play with French – it is just too bad for a nation,” she says.
For others, like 40-year-old Tubman Nyennety, the motivation for doing the class is driven by personal ambition.
“We need to learn Chinese because you never tell when you will have the opportunity to travel to China,” he says.
Another student, Musu Woodfor, recalls the difficulties she faced when she fled the civil war to Liberia’s French-speaking neighbours.
“We learn French, so why not Chinese? The language barrier was a problem when we travelled as a result of the war.”
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