CHINA'S AFRICA:Thousands of young, educated Chinese are moving to Africa in search of new opportunities and experiences, writes Mary Fitzgerald
SOME ARE entrepreneurs, others want to gain valuable work experience and see a bit of the world, and others still are idealists who want to make a difference. What these young Chinese have in common is they have all decided that Africa is the place to go.
Thousands of educated Chinese 20- and 30-somethings have moved to the continent in recent years.
Early this century, Beijing set down its zou chu qu (go out) directive, under which domestic companies were encouraged to explore business ventures beyond China's borders. The government has offered incentives ranging from attractive loan rates to export credit in a bid to encourage companies and those with an entrepreneurial streak to seek their fortunes in Africa. Such individuals can be found meeting prospective business partners and finalising deals in hotel lobbies in every major African city.
One example is Liu, a businessman in his early 30s who works in the construction sector. I met him at the Great Wall casino in Zambia's capital, Lusaka, a popular hangout for Chinese expats. "Before I arrived, my image of Africa was of a very poor and dangerous place because of all its civil wars, and problems with HIV and malaria," he says.
"The reality is very different. There are many chances here. I made the right decision."
Di Qiang, manager of the Bank of China subsidiary in Lusaka, has been in Zambia for five years. He has noticed a change in the type of people now coming from China.
"Some of the first Chinese to come to Zambia found it difficult, particularly when it came to communicating with locals, as they didn't speak the language. But this is changing now; many young people, mostly graduates who speak English, are arriving. Zambia is still a developing country but there are lots of opportunities here."
Piu Piu Zhao (24) moved from Beijing to Angola's capital, Luanda, last month to take up a job as a translator for a Chinese-owned engineering firm. She speaks fluent Portuguese - Angola's main language - after a period spent studying in Brazil.
"My family and friends didn't like the idea of me coming here," she said. "They thought Angola was a dangerous Third World country, but I chat to them online every day so now they are reassured.
"I came to Africa because I like having the chance to see the world and improve my language skills. Plus, there are many chances and opportunities for us in Africa."
Her friend Michelle Ran (24) has been in Angola for 15 months after moving with her engineer husband from Chengdu.
"Some friends were working here already and they told me it was a very beautiful country. I wanted to travel and learn languages so it seemed like a good move," she says. "We have our food from China and we hang out with other Chinese people. It's almost like having a little China here in Angola."
On the other side of Luanda's sweeping bay, I met Wong Chen (22). She works at Shanghai Baia, one of the most lavish Chinese restaurants in the Angolan capital, complete with private karaoke rooms, bayside location and ornate carved furniture shipped from China.
Wong is from Sichuan. "I studied economic management at home but it's very difficult to find a job in China. That's the reason so many Chinese are coming to Africa. Here there are far more opportunities and I can earn much more than at home," she explains.
"I want to save money and get experience while I'm young."
Wong says she's willing to put up with a less-than-exciting life in the meantime. "Life is just so-so here. I work, I sleep and that's it. It's very boring."
Then there are the new arrivals who some have compared to a Chinese version of the US Peace Corps. At the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation two years ago, Chinese president Hu Jintao announced a new scheme under which Beijing would send 300 young volunteers to Africa by 2009.
Participants engage in a range of activities, including teaching Mandarin, providing training in agricultural and animal husbandry techniques, and introducing traditional Chinese medicine to local hospitals and clinics. So far volunteers have been sent to countries such as Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and the Seychelles.