Is this colonisation via the credit card?

NOW THAT ALL the euphoria, red carpet treatment and backslapping behaviour has ceased and the Chinese delegation has returned to China after the BRICS conference, in the cold light of day, one wonders just what was going on.

There is a saying in English: “beware of strangers bearing gifts”. The Chinese contingent came with a gift of money, I understand in the region of R200 billion, allegedly for investment in and loans to South Africa. Why would they do this?

In the long run just who will benefit from this gift? South Africa is so broke after the Zuma regime, the Chinese gift is accepted without much thought.

Eskom receives a loan of R74 million, can such an organisation repay this loan when they are already battling to pay staff salaries? If they cannot repay, does Eskom become beholden to China? Food for thought! There is some evidence that Sri Lanka is at the beck and call of China due to defaulting payments on loans received from China.

Could China be after our mineral wealth? South Africa has abundant supplies of, for example iron, coal, gold and platinum. I understand that China is very active in Zambia, offering to build roads, possibly in exchange for copper.

Could they be wanting to have some control over the sea routes around the southern coast of Africa?

I do not even want to mention the Chinese involvement in the growing of oranges and other activities near Musina. (Business Report, August 3).

The Chinese claim to be investing in new factories, which is wonderful if this provides employment. However, for some bizarre reason, under the affirmative action policy, the Chinese are deemed to be “black”. Thus, hundreds of mainland Chinese could move to these factories without any problem. Not only is China possibly wanting minerals, but strategic investments as well in the Pacific. Look at the Chinese investments in the islands of Fiji, Nauru and Solomons, etc. The Chinese are buying real estate big time in cities around the World, eg in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US.

As a nation the Chinese are not stupid, in fact they are rather astute. As the might of the US is in a gradual decline and as countries jockey for revised positions and form new alliances and “to back the correct horse” so to speak, China wants to be in a position of power and to “hit the road running”, with all their debtors in support, when the time arrives to flex their muscles and to really challenge the US.

We need to be on guard, the former colonisers came with the power of the gun, the new generation of colonisers come with the power of the credit card. Would it be premature to say “welcome to the latest province of China”?

In accepting this gift, I would like to think that the South African government has seriously urged the Chinese government to stop the import of lion bones and rhinoceros horns into China. I wonder if our government has thought that far? Maybe I am too hopeful. KEVIN MEINEKE, HOUT BAY