China's growing sphere of influence in the Caribbean and African nations

This is hilarious-- forwarded by a friend of mine.
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070205/lead/lead1.html

This article brings to mind the recent events here in Lusaka. Chinese president Hu Jintao visited Lusaka this past Saturday through Sunday to officially inaugurate special Zambia-China economic zones... and a new Chinese-financed football stadium. Zambia didn't make the same mistake with the anthem though, I don't think.

On the day the Chinese president arrived at lusaka international airport, I was sitting outside the NGO office waiting for my ride. a zambian man passing by in a truck stuck his head out of the window and yelled "hey, how come you're not welcoming your president?!" I gave the man a slightly dirty look. The supervisors also kept on teasing "hey Christina, why aren't you at the airport welcoming your president?"

Later that day there was heavy traffic to the health clinic as scores of Zambians waited outside the main conference facility awaiting Hu Jintao's arrival. It was a pretty funny sight -- a crowd of  Zambian women wearing MMD chitenges (MMD is the political party currently in power that is supportive of China) waiting and cheering for the chinese president.

Also, last Thursday, I was barely able to grab a table at the best Chinese restaurant in Lusaka because there was a huge party of Chinese people having dinner that night... in preparation for the Chinese president's arrival. Supposedly Hu Jintao was going to eat at that restaurant. (And stay at the Intercontinental...)

Anyways, overall, I regard China's generosity to Zambia with suspicion.... the stadium, a new economic zone, $800 million in investment, a state visit, a huge forgiveness of debt.......

To me, it sounds like imminent exploitation, China-style.