The difficult integration of Chinese migrants in Africa

In this article published by the chinese media website Danwei, Tessa Thorniley explores the reasons and consequences of Chinese migration in Africa, interviewing migrants and locals in Windhoek, Luanda, Beijing and Shanghai. Thorniley describes how the rapid growth of small Chinese-owned businesses is viewed by locals with suspicion and, in some cases, hostility. The estimated number of Chinese migrants in the continent is one million. The integration of these individuals is not actively sought. Several reasons can be found in this lack of integration.

First of all, Africans perceive Chinese as a danger to their economy and survival. These fears are partially originated by wrong perceptions because Chinese investment benefits African economies. However, it is true that ordinary people see how many jobs are being done by Chinese.

Secondly, the nature of Chinese migration in Africa. Many Chinese migrants went over to Africa to work for state-owned businessess with the idea of returning to China. Companies usually offer them a bed in a dormitory, thus they don’t have the chance to mix with Africans. The two sides remain clearly divided because Chinese usually live, work and sleep on their work facilities. This “lack of strong ties between the communities has created distrust and resentment.”

Finally, cultural differences are not being addressed. In that sense, Chinese in Africa are often destabilized by their inability to comprehend the attitudes of the locals. Together with the lack of knowledge of the local language and with differences in business practices, this cultural gap deepens the divide. Nonetheless, some initiatives try to bridge this gap. The Confucious Insitute in Cameroun teaches Chinese to the African population. The great interest in these courses, with some 2000 students all over the country, is not only caused by an anticipation of finantial developments but also by the curiosity and respect for the culture of the newcomers.

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