CHINA'S AFRICA - ANGOLA:China's link with Angola is about much more than its reserves of crude oil, diplomat tells Mary Fitzgerald
THREE MONTHS ago Zhang Bolun arrived in Luanda to become China's new ambassador to Angola. It is his first posting in Africa following decades working as a diplomat in Latin America. He speaks fluent Spanish but, he admits apologetically, no Portuguese - so far.
With Beijing becoming increasingly concerned about its international image, and, China-watchers say, more sensitive to criticism of its growing role in Africa, it is perhaps not surprising that Zhang requests several times during my conversation with him that the resulting article be "fair".
He insists that we go off the record when I ask him in detail about certain Chinese infrastructural projects in Angola that have run into difficulties.
Over tiny cups of green tea, he reels off the stock phrases Chinese officials invariably use to describe the relationship between Beijing and Africa. Sino-Angolan co-operation is based on "mutual benefits", leading to a "win-win" situation for both parties, he says.
"With the development of China in recent years, our energy demands are very high. Angola is rich in oil so from China's perspective, Angola is one of our most important partners." But the relationship, Zhang insists, is about much more than Angola's reserves of crude.
"For now the necessity of exporting oil is paramount, but the basis for development of co-operation between China and Angola is to create a win-win situation to help Angola out of its difficulties. There are some necessities from the Angolan side that we Chinese are capable of providing. It's not just about getting oil."
As in other African countries, speculating on the exact number of Chinese now in their midst has become something of a favourite guessing game for Angolans. The embassy does not have precise data, Zhang tells me, but he believes the figure is 20,000- 30,000. Most are engaged in construction and most will leave on completion of their project.
"Very, very few Chinese citizens are aiming to settle long-term here in Angola." he adds. "It is very difficult for people who come from the East to adapt to the climate and other aspects of life here," the ambassador says.
According to his figures, more than 20 Chinese state-owned enterprises are operating in the former Portuguese colony, with some 30 or so private companies.
"I would like to see more Chinese companies coming here to invest, but they should be well qualified," he says, admitting that some of the contracts tendered to private Chinese firms in Angola have proved problematic.
"It is true that Angola was not happy with a few of the Chinese projects," he says. "The Chinese government is now working on some ways to regulate private companies before they leave for foreign countries . . . For Chinese companies that are not capable of working out of China, it is not permitted to seek work in other countries." Zhang dismisses claims that the hitches have strained Sino-Angolan relations, pointing out that a new line of credit is under negotiation.
On the rampant corruption that blights Angola, the ambassador says he is aware of domestic efforts to tackle the issue.
"This is Angola's internal problem and we cannot interfere, but what I can say is that the Chinese companies have nothing to do with corruption." Before I leave, Zhang asks again that my reporting on China's relationship with Angola be balanced. "We came to Angola for the good of the local people, not to become another coloniser," he says.