Trader Trouble

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An African mother crosses a Guangzhou pedestrian bridge

Emmanuel, a women’s clothing retailer, has run his business out of the Baile Trade Market for three months. Despite a sluggish season, he remains optimistic about his future prospects

Ojukwu Emma, President of the Nigerian Community in China, sits in his office in Guangzhou. Since there is no Nigerian consulate in Guangzhou, Emma’s office plays a key role as an intermediary between the Guangzhou government and the city’s Nigerian community

In Dr Adams Bodomo’s 2010 research paper “The African Trading Community in Guangzhou: An Emerging Bridge for Africa-China Relations,” he states that: “Given the current rate and dynamics of the establishment of communities in China by Africans…it is not far-fetched to foresee that in 100 years’ time, an African-Chinese ethnic minority group could be demanding self-identity and full citizenship rights in the heart of Guangzhou, and in other major cities.”

However, because of the tightening of passport and visa controls for African traders in Guangzhou, particularly since the 2010 Asian Games held in the city, many Africans have been leaving their oncefavored city of opportunity. NewsChina interviewed Dr Li Zhigang, associate professor in the School of Geography and Planning at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, and Adams B. Bodomo, associate professor of Linguistics and Afri

can Studies with the University of Hong Kong, seeking their opinions on the past, present and future of African migrants in Guangzhou. Both are experts on African studies, and have conducted years of research on African communities living in Guangzhou.

NewsChina: What is the composition of the African community in Guangzhou?

Prof Li: In general, African traders come from most countries in Africa, and include speakers of French, English, Arabic and Portuguese. Our 2010 surveys indicate that Africans from over thirty different countries were doing business in Guangzhou, and the largest group is from West Africa, including the francophone countries of Guinea, Benin, Mali, Senegal, C?te d’Ivoire, and the anglophone countries of Nigeria and Ghana.

NewsChina: Have you seen any change in living standards in the African community over the past few years?

Li: In my view, since 2008, their living situation has deteriorated. First of all, the unfavorable economic environment, such as the economic crisis and the constant reevaluation of Chinese currency, has reduced their already small profit margins. Secondly, the strict passport controls and constant visa inspections have brought them trouble. Worse still, newcomers have poorer financial and educational backgrounds than their predecessors, causing more social problems and posing more challenges for the local Guangzhou government. Among the African community, people from Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, are known as the hardest for local police to manage and regulate.

NewsChina: What is your perspective on the presence of African traders in the city of Guangzhou?

Li: Trade between Guangzhou and Africa has continued to increase. For example, there are over 100 export companies registered in the Xiaobeilu district, each of which makes over 50 million yuan per year. Statistics indicate that the importance of Africa and Latin America in China’s export market has increased in recent years, in contrast to the decrease of the European market. China has become one of Africa’s largest trading partners.

From a geopolitical perspective, Guangzhou is unique in connecting Asia and Africa. Since it is close to Southeast Asia and is China’s hub for air freight to Africa, it can, together with Hong Kong, act as a trade center between China and Africa. From a positive standpoint, if Guangzhou can make good use of its unique geopolitical role, there will be a very good future for its trade and economic development.

Yet the reality of cultural incompatibility between Chinese and Africans does exist, and I still feel it is a very difficult obstacle to overcome. The real integration of Africans into Chinese communities will take a long time. From a long term perspective, I am worried about the possibility that the African community in Guangzhou will become like the isolated AfricanAmerican districts in US cities such as Detroit. When educated local residents and taxpayers all move out of the African-dominated areas, those areas may deteriorate economically and in terms of social public order.

I used to think that Guangzhou should be more hospitable to Africans, but now I feel that this danger should not be overlooked.

NewsChina: What is the African community like in Hong Kong, and what are its similarities and differences with the African community in Guangzhou?

Adams Bodomo: The number of Africans in Hong Kong is between 20,000 and 30,000. Some of them come and go regularly. Not all are permanent residents.

Africans on the mainland work as businessmen, but here in Hong Kong, there are quite a number of Africans who work for the public sector, holding government positions.

Since Hong Kong enjoys a different legal system from the mainland, an African in Hong Kong can get permanent residency, and ultimately even a Hong Kong passport. If someone is resident in Hong Kong for seven years, with legal permits and a job, then they qualify for permanent residence.

NewsChina: Will Guangzhou remain attractive to African traders in the future?

Adams Bodomo: While the major commodities exchanges among African communities in Hong Kong and Guangzhou are similar, prices in Guangzhou are cheaper than in Hong Kong.

Thus, for residence, Africans prefer Hong Kong, but for business, they prefer Guangzhou.

Guangzhou is a market city, and no policy can change that, so Guangzhou will always attract Africans in the future. But if Guangzhou police remain as disrespectful and draconian as they are now, other places in China, such as Yiwu in Zhejiang Province, the commodities trade center of China, would replace Guangzhou.

NewsChina: Do you have any suggestions for the Guangzhou government on the handling of the African community?

Adams Bodomo: The mainland has a lot to learn from Hong Kong and other parts of the world in addressing the treatment of African migrants. While the Chinese mainland has a 21st century economy, it holds a 20th century immigration policy. It needs to develop a clear immigration policy, and there should be a pathway for foreigners to get permanent residency.

Along with China’s growing economy, more foreigners will be arriving. The Chinese government must take immigration seriously.

There are “Africa towns” in cities around the world, and it would be a good thing for the city to set up a place where local people can buy African goods. I know there will be African centers established this year in Shanghai and Yiwu. Guangzhou should take this opportunity to develop an African marketplace.