The Chinese Charm

By Innocent Chia
  Regardless of who we are and where we live, there are a finite number of variables determining why we elect to pay so much for a piece of furniture, a car, a loaf of bread, or a medical service at the local clinic or hospital. A most important of these variables is price – Can I afford it? More often than not, the price is secondary to or dependent on the need. Therefore, if we desperately need the item or service and can afford it, we are willing to pay the price tag. In this follow-up piece to an earlier posting which I titled “The Chinese of Province of Cameroon”, I am positing that the Chinese bait of selling new and defective products is largely succeeding in Africa because of a wanton absence of any consumer protection agencies, little consumer knowledge, and governments made up of officials who have inoculated themselves from the ability to care enough for their people.

Chinese Counterfeits on the World Stage
Within the last three years alone, I have witnessed the recall of countless Chinese products from the American market. Indeed, WorldNetDaily reported that of 152 products that the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled from the American market in 2007 alone, 104 of those products were made in China – a whopping 68% of the defective products found on the shelves of American stores were made in China!

According to a 2007 report by Joseph Farah of WorldNetDaily.com, the Chinese fakes or counterfeits covered every conceivable gamut:

• Portable baby swings that entrap youngsters, resulting in 60 reports of cuts, bruises and abrasions;
• Swimming pool ladders that break, resulting in 127 reports of injuries, including leg lacerations requiring up to 21 stitches, five reports of bone fractures, two back injuries, two reports of torn ligaments and eight sprained ankles;
• Faulty baby carriers that result in babies falling out and getting bruised, getting skulls cracked and hospitalizations;
• Easy-Bake Ovens that trap children's fingers in openings, resulting in burns;
• Oscillating tower fans whose faulty wiring results in fires, burns and smoke inhalation injuries;
• Exploding air pumps that have resulted in 13 lacerations including six facial injuries and one to the eye;
• Bargain-priced oil-filled electric heaters, selling for less than $50, that burn down homes;
• Notebook computer batteries that burn up computers, cause other property damage and burn users;
• Circular saws with faulty blade guards that result in cutting users, not wood.'

Demonizers who are dragging me to the guillotine for not rolling the red carpet on these defective Chinese products and their unregulated immigration to Cameroon are not telling what recourse the local consumer has. To whom does a mother who buys a faulty baby carrier that breaks and results in her baby falling out and getting the skull cracked turn? The same opponents who are today unquestioning and unsuspecting of the Chinese products - predominantly out of sheer ignorance and malice – will tomorrow be accusing the woman of neglectful conduct or ritualistic killing of their child for personal gain. In the lingo they say it is “nyongo” or “famla”…what shame!

The default posture of blaming the individual rather than seeking for answers at the level of the manufacturers is both encrusted in the ease with which it can be done versus the ability to blame the maker of the defective product. That it has taken the giant Japanese car maker, Toyota, 19 deaths owing to defective accelerators and breaks in some of their recent car makes to bow to pressures of consumer Product Safety Commissions and the U.S government is ample evidence. But any pigheaded ignoramus will tell me that if I were living in Cameroon, I would be aware of the existence of consumer protection agencies. Please, educate the rest of us on the whereabouts of this agency and who to
contact in Cameroon. Which counterfeit products has it taken off the market, including the fake Nigerian drugs that a 100 year-old granny can snuff off the streets?

In the same year 2007, American consumers were warned by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to steer clear of toothpaste made in China. Even as the Chinese government refuted the claims, the FDA proactively worked for the protection of American children who are at greater risk of ingesting toothpaste than adults. The WorldNetDaily report reads:

“FDA has identified the following brands of toothpaste from China that contain DEG and are included in the import alert: Cooldent Fluoride; Cooldent Spearmint; Cooldent ICE; Dr. Cool, Everfresh Toothpaste; Superdent Toothpaste; Clean Rite Toothpaste; Oralmax Extreme; Oral Bright Fresh Spearmint Flavor; Bright Max Peppermint Flavor; ShiR Fresh Mint Fluoride Paste; DentaPro; DentaKleen; and DentaKleen Junior. Manufacturers of these products are: Goldcredit International Enterprises Limited; Goldcredit International Trading Company Limited; and Suzhou City Jinmao Daily Chemicals Company Limited. The products typically are sold at low-cost bargain retail outlets.
FDA inspectors identified and detained one shipment of toothpaste at the U.S. border, containing about 3 percent DEG by weight. ….
The highest level found was between 3-4 percent by weight. The product at the retail store was not labeled as containing DEG but was found to contain the substance.
The Chinese chief of General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine insisted said that "up to 15.6 percent (of the chemical DEG) is safe for prolonged use.”

Victimized Africa or Lucky Africans
A most crucial question begs to be asked at this juncture: Where do the Chinese ship all the counterfeit and poisonous products that the West finds dangerous for its citizens? Where do the ship loads of toothpaste destined for the U.S markets end up when in mid-sea they are steered off the American shores? Where do the defective toys containing poisonous Lead end up?  

I dare say the shores of Africa!

Leaders of non-manufacturing African States – the consumer states of Africa - see these poison laced and patently defective products as viable alternatives to the eccentrically impoverished majorities.

Buy China Once, Buy twice
All that matters to many a consumer in Africa is that they are buying a shining / brand new product at a senselessly affordable price. The problem is that money is scarce the world over and a precious rare commodity in the hands of a troubling number of Cameroonians. Therefore, after several trips to the same merchants to buy the same item, consumers are clearly getting a hang of it. Such is the source of frustration that has led to the coining of the phrase, ‘Buy China once, buy twice’. For the Chinese economy, trader and entrepreneur, it is great. Is that the case for the Cameroonian who is getting robbed by the illusion of paying for a safe product? The issue here is about consumer protection and product safety.

Let the floodgates be opened to the Chinese to come and offer their services and products to Cameroonians. But let it be on condition that citizens are armed with sufficient and actionable information with which to make the right choices, including whether or not to purchase the Chinese products knowing full well that the toys contain Lead in amounts sufficient to kill the innocent kids that inevitably end up stuffing the toys in their mouths.

Let customers be forewarned, through consumer advocacy groups or other independent government agency (what a fallacy to hope for in Cameroon), of the danger that consumers face with electrical appliances from China. Refrigerators are frying and breaking fuses in homes like fireworks on a New Year’s Eve; brand new electrical irons either do not warm up enough to press simple fabric or fire up and burn the fabric; brand new bedspreads wash off and transfer colors to whatever fabric the tenant is wearing; flasks to store hot water explode and split into half with the bottom falling off; even simple beer openers break in the process of opening your favorite bottle of drink…Where do we stop? The list goes on and on...

Bracing up for Competition
The ruling regime’s permanent head damages (PhD’s) – most of whom are more interested in bureaucratic / political positions than publishing in their peer reviews - are touting the benefits of competition to the economy of Cameroon. It would be foolhardy denying the fact that certain practices are changing in Cameroon as a result of the Chinese. It is clear that the Chinese work ethic is something you pray for to rub off not only the business sector but the entire public service, plus and starting with the absentee President Paul Biya who reportedly spends about 6 months of the year outside the country. Even the simple fact that the street doughnuts or puff-puffs may no longer be sold in dusted cement paper is worthy of note.

Yet, even by this confession, let those with the numbers tell the world how many Cameroonians the Chinese are hiring for the various construction and mining projects. Organized Union and labor laws in many countries fix foreign versus local workers ratio to favor the local employment. But I recall with my infant eyes that there were hardly any workers that were involved in the building of the giganormous congress hall in Yaounde. The Chinese had their camp away from the public eye - nestled right in the armpit of Bastos underneath the Congress Hall. The point is not their reclusive nature as much as it has to do with their exclusive nature, a matter that hardly shores up local employment numbers nor does it help with racial integration.

All said and done, Cameroon is in its present predicament because President Paul Biya parted ways with President Ahmadou Ahidjo’s 1982-1986 5th five year plan targeting industrialization. As the Chiareport has pointed out in an earlier piece:

…the use of local materials in industry, promotion of the participation of nationals in the industrialization process and industrial decongestion of the Littoral province was interrupted by massive looting of CFAF 48,000 million from state-owned corporations.

Cameroonians have to ask themselves why Chinese products are not as hot in neighboring Japan or Hong Kong… The answer is a simple one: Both Japan and Hong Kong actually produce better quality goods that have naturally knocked off the Chinese competition. That is the lesson for Cameroon and Cameroonians: Chinese are not bringing natural resources to Cameroon; they are coming to exploit them and take them away. They are not bringing fish to Cameroon; they are emptying the Oceans with cruisers beginning from the shores, and rolling over the unprotected small fisherman in his porous canoe.

If President Biya could send financial aid (FCFA 450,000000.00 ($1 million) to Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake, it is good sign that this Heavily Indebted Poor Country has funds to create a pool from which young entrepreneurs could get small business loans. With the same $1 million, each of the 10 Regions could have an amount proportionate to the population and the number of registered University graduates. Further splits could go all the way down to the village level to provide a hand-up to the economically disadvantaged and come close to leveling the field of play with the competition. It does not take a lot to change the plight of the suffering masses.

Comments

[Eric Lamlenn]

I couldn't agree more with the writer.
China is the biggest country in the world and as its population keeps growing,the state is actively looking for ways of containing it to abate a time bomb.In front of this reality, every method is a good one provided it works for them.
The Cameroon state has to realize that selling huge pieces of plantation land to Chinese farmers as it's being done in the Western and Litoral Provinces is recipe for our own disaster.The Chinese will exploit our resources while we get just a stipend or nothing at all and we will continue to languish in debt and abject poverty.
I have given up on hoping that a change in direction can originate from the current regime.
The Cameroon diaspora needs to work hand in hand with Cameroon based citizens to build a coalition large and effective enough to force the current regime out of power if we are going to see any positive change in our generation.

[Felix]

The trend will move the way its moving...........
When there is a vacuum, its natural for forces to fill the void.
You have the plantations etc what did you do about it? You have the Natural Resources what are you doing about it?
Forget about Diaspora they are hopeless people fighting to sustain their asylum papers, or get married and change their Nationalities.They have little or nothing to contribute apart from a few who live perhaps on handouts and have the time to come on the internet to express their frustrations about their living standards by writing rubbished about Cameroon.
I am in Europe and I have lived in USA so, I am a living witness to what it is to be a Diaspora.
If you have to mount a fight for a change, then consider people in the diaspora as "Noise" or "Disturbance" in your Model.And look for Methods to reduced their effects.If you want to look at history just asked why Most Ministers and Biya himself who have lived in Europe behaves the way thez do.

[Va Boy]

Chia is producing the closest to investigational journalism on no budget. I commend you, my friend. His writing is from the diaspora, Felix.

Felix, other countries, including the United States incubate small businesses. They know how hard it is to start a small business, so they help with business plans, advice, inexpensive credit and other ways until the business finds its feet. In your country, they suffocate baby businesses with byzantine rules, endless red tape, bribery and corruption and unbearable taxes. I would bet my bottom dollar that those same rules do not apply to the Chinese, the French and friends of the regime in power.

It is despicable of you to blame people in the diaspora, who just wanted to get themselves out of an unbearable situation. Diaspora might not be paradise, but its subventions are keeping that state afloat. It would sink without the flood of Western Union wires. Besides, not everyone in the diaspora is having a hard life. If you were in the US, you would know that there are thousands professionals working living very well there, after years of being abused by a system that stifled them from spreading their wings.

The next thing, we will hear from entrepreneuronline, who has to spend years and endless bits writing sycophantic articles in order to procure a professor's job.

[Watesih]

How will the building of the road from Batibo to Nigeria bring local people the technological skills they lack,given that the Chinese companies involved in their construction are under no obligation to employ them,as would have been the case. The chinese putting of the moon orbiter into space came to crown their efforts of getting all from others and vomiting them. They copied this technology through their son,a Chinese-American,who spent six months at the international Space station. It is not for nothing that China is begging Europe and the US to lift an arms embargo imposed after the crack down on demonstrators in Beijing in 1989. They badly need the technology,to enable them copy and make foreign brands,frighten western countries with bullying and flood their markets with low quality goods. Buildings,stadiums are not going to bring the development we are yearning for. Afterall,how many can even understand and take care of the rotating doors of the congress centres. Finally,only an exceedingly myopic and condenscending individual will keep questioning the role the diaspora has been and is playin to sustain the whole nation during this difficult time of man-made crisis. Two years ago,then PM Inoni acknowledged this contribution.

[Bob Bristol]

Wow! Dipoko againl; those in the inner circles, those who've taken the country to the gutters. Well, I thought they ought to be ashamed of themselves.

[sango angoh]

SON OF THE SOIL'S RESPONSE TO MY PREVIOUS COMMENTS:

Mr. Sango Angoh, I read your feedback with the utmost attention and I must admit, we all love Cameroon eventhough we have our different ways of expressing it. You talked eloquently of how us in the West live in utter luxury as compared to the folks back in Cameroon.

My response is that you have lied. Pamela Arrey lived a hidden life in flushable toiletts and illuminated houses in that crime infested Washington DC, just as Arrey Tamba did, just Paul Teuzon did just Maxi Soppo did and just as the son of General James Tataw did.Shaddy lives.

By virtue of your writing, I can tell you have not been long in the West. To buy a decent house with a good zipcode, could cost you somewhere in the mid 500s. Statstically, to even attempt paying that mortgage with all the equities and refinancing will take a person earning 9.000.00 dollars a month 38 years. By the way, few if any Cameroonian have ever completely bought a house in the US.
I know many who used scams and got all the shaddy refinancing tactics and they ended up serving time and being deported. I stand by own assertion: Cameroon is better than the West.I have my houses in Kumba, Bastos and Ngousso near the General Referal Hospital in Yaounde and trust me, water, electricity are flowing. No vandals. You are justifying a lost cause. You are still young. Work your money and build in Cameroon.
To sit there and dream like many that you shall only go to Cameroon in a coffin will not be of any service to you.
OBITUARY.
The Cameroonian Community here in Minnesota has just lost a brother of our own by the name of Michael Fonta. He was gunned down here in Minneapolis 3 days ago in what police are calling a suspicious homicide.He was a son of Mankon. A Baforchu man.
Posted by: Son of the Soil. | February 06, 2010 at 02:25 PM

My Response:

I was on vacation, and just returned this morning. I'm afraid Cameroonians are on a slippery path to lunacy, if we are not very careful.
I have the impression that Son of the Soil, who apparently, has lived in the West for quite a long time now, has not been able to adjust to the system, and turns very often to bemoan his old country, though not on this forum. I'm not surprised at all. Those of them who left Cameroon in the late 70s or early 80s still have this nostalgia that the system still works. That upon graduation from a western university, for example, you could fly back to Cameroon on a Friday and get on to work on Monday, as it used to be before! For these reasons, they fail to acquaint themselves with their new environment, living under the illusion that a miracle would happen to the country that they left behind. Unlike their counterparts, Indians, Chinese, and others, who prior to emigrating to their adopted countries, be it in Europe or North America, were not even able to speak English, came in, adjust to the system, and move up the ladder.
I have no illusion that Son of the Soil is an intelligent man, but he just can't adjust to the western system. One of the hallmarks of a successful person is the ability to adjust and move up in a system that may be foreign, whether in the U.S. or Europe. Let me give you as an example why you've not adjusted to this system: You talk about building and renting your houses in Cameroon. Look, my friend, I have, besides my home now, a townhouse that would be paid off in the next five years, because of my hard work and determination. I'll bequeath this property to my children and grandchildren. You on the other hand, having invested in a lawless environment like Cameroon, would sure lose that property upon your death. Your next door neighbor will move in, and take that property, because of the anarchy that reigns. By the way, how do you collect your rents? You pick up the phone, probably in the U.S.., and you argue all the time with the renters, if at all they have the money to pay their rents. My friend, you are practicing what is called PRIMITIVE CAPITALISM. As I indicated, the townhouse that I have would be there for the next fifty years, because of a legal system that protects homeowners, and my children would, in turn, if they choose to, hand over this same property to their own children. Do you know of the Nangahs, the Ches, the Kilos, and all the wealthy Anglophones, who died some years ago? Can you show me any of their property, in good shape that could bring forth income to their own children after their deaths? You know why? Because the system failed them.
Does this all mean that I do not love Cameroon? Not at all. I'll retire to my old village some day, but while here, I have to adjust to the system. Those of us who left Cameroon a few years ago, left with a totally different mindset that those of you who left in the 70 and in the early 80s. We went through tough times, unemployment, anarchy, and like the Israelis, are determined that our own children should never never have to go through it again. And like many hardworking Cameroonians, that you so often ignore to acknowledge in this forum, want to live in dignity and respect. You rush to pinpoint the cases of few untrustworthy Cameroonians as reasons that Cameroonians should rush home. What a lesson to teach Cameroonians!

And still on your response above, why would the son of James Tataw, the Pepper Soup General, be doing in the U.S., even to the point of being incacerated, when Cameroon is as good as you like to make us believe?
And with regard to the late Fonta Michael that you-without respect to his family-rudely announced on this forum, his late father, may God bless his soul, was also, if I recall very well, a Senior Divisional Officer, still attached to the system that you love to defend.
The question is: Why would the children of these persons who worked so hard for a system, believed in, told the world how good it is, be doing in the U.S. in the first place, before going through all this mess?

[blogwatcher]

So Alain Dipoko, the Minesotta man is now reborn as son of the soil....only in the Cameroonian blogosphere...

[blogwatcher]

Son of the Soil; how come you are not "on the soil" in Cameroon like other "patriotic" Cameroonians but hiding out in Shakopee, Minnesota?

[ntam charles]

Good research and an exceptional presentation Innocent.Keep it coming.U write like a Rabbi.

Ntam

[Felix]

Chinese are copying this from the West Chinese are copying that.
If any of you had read the books hasn’t the west copied Technology from African(Egypt) and Middle East prior to the renascence?
Why can’t those in the Diaspora do the same as those Chinese ,copied and to come and implement it in their country?
The Indians, Pakistanis and the Rest of the world have waked up to produce commodities.
Some will say it’s the Cameroon Government. Can’t we see what a government it is in China? .Why with such a government is China still developing and faster too? What about Libya?
I don’t condone Dictatorship or corrupt government, but those in the Diaspora should stop crying over spill milk but work to change the country they pretend they love.
It took a Chinese company CNOOC to try to take over An American Oil Company Unocal the Manger was American Trained.If only the rule of Globalization was level. But yet China is export to USA is continues to growing 2009 Statistic.Let the data speak for themselves.
It is true to create consumer awareness not only on Chinese product but also on everything entering the country. I have never heard any Diaspora talked about second hand and old machines most of which can never be recycle and coming from EU and USA that poses immediate threat to the lives of Africans. Second hand drugs and goods have also been flowing from usa and Eu into African Markets and not to talk of Food that are dumped every year in the Name of Aids. Can’t you talk about this for fear of being sent back and your immigration document canceled?

[Dr A A Agbormbai]

This is an earth-shattering article that truly unravels the mission of the Chinese, and its findings must be taken very seriously.

I was in the US when the news was going around about defective Chinese products and the injuries and deaths they had been causing. At that time I was saying how poor Africa (without the means to protect itself) is being taken for a ride by the Chinese, with their so-called 'cheap goods.' I wonder how many Africans have been maimed or killed by these products.

There are a number of issues indicated above that I find particularly touching:

1. "But let it be on condition that citizens are armed with sufficient and actionable information with which to make the right choices, including whether or not to purchase the Chinese products knowing full well that the toys contain Lead in amounts sufficient to kill the innocent kids that inevitably end up stuffing the toys in their mouths."

I believe I've read somewhere that the child death rates in Cameroon are unbelievably high. Are you sure that these toys are not a major driver of this event?

2. "Yet, even by this confession, let those with the numbers tell the world how many Cameroonians the Chinese are hiring for the various construction and mining projects. Organized Union and labor laws in many countries fix foreign versus local workers ratio to favor the local employment. But I recall with my infant eyes that there were hardly any workers that were involved in the building of the giganormous congress hall in Yaounde."

This is really taking Cameroon for a ride and is symptomatic of the sort of deals that can be expected of the corrupt and incompetent Biya Government. It confirms my suspicions that this government has given Cameroon away for practically nothing. I am sure that this is only the tip of the iceberg. If other agreements are investigated I'm almost certain that the same opportunistic arrangement will be unravelled.

3. "Chinese are not bringing natural resources to Cameroon; they are coming to exploit them and take them away. They are not bringing fish to Cameroon; they are emptying the Oceans with cruisers beginning from the shores, and rolling over the unprotected small fisherman in his porous canoe."

The secretive way in which the Chinese carry out these operations raise a cloud of suspicion over their intent. Basically, they are doing to Cameroon what they will never allow any country do to China. It is this asymmetry that amounts to exploitation, opportunism, or taking advantage of the weak.

And the Biya Government has been the perfect punch-bag for such opportunism. Basically, Biya's reign in Cameroon has been a complete and utter disgrace!

[limbekid]

Mr Innocent Chia,

thanks for advancing the debate. Nonetheless, the topic of migration is nothing new. Here`s todays headline from THE DAILY EXPRESS (UK newspaper): Immigrants handed 1.3m jobs ... Two year invasion of foreign workers exposes Brown`s broken vow to Britons.

The location may be different but the attitude does not change. Don`t get me wrong, I am all for stringent health and safety regulations, but I fear by maintaining an attitude of rejection we may prepare excuses for the local population before hand. Besides, if we shun Chinese products, what is the alternative for the majority of Cameroonians: second hand products from the West. That is equally pschologically demeaning.

I agree with Felix when he says: where there is a vacuum it will be filled naturally. Case in point: when the USA introduced AGOA (African Growth Opportunity Act), it was in a bid to enable African textile industries find outlets in the US, and in the same vain reduce the dependence on Chinese imports. Did the Africans make use of this opportunity? Arguably, No. The smart Chinese moved some of their factories to locations in Africa, thus increasing their quotas without breaking any laws. Imagine that! The Chinese where not only able to fill their own quota, but also encroach on ours. Why? Because we lack the tranformational capacity. I do not advocate a Wild West or "Winner takes all" environment, but a new mindset. Africans should engage the battle field with a will to win, and not wait for adversaries to falter, so we pick up the pieces.

[Ras Tuge]

Cry baby Innocent, you better stop being at odds with yourself. Stop wailing, and do something creative. How come the Chinese are more abreast of Cameroon's potential than you, a so-called son of the soil? All these childish rantings wouldn't change anything, especially as foreigners are busy enriching themselves on our very own neglected but extensive potential.

Cameroon is a beautiful place, i don't care what any day-dreaming jackass says. And there's plenty of bread to be made in that rich country. Cameroon belongs to us, and i'll do business there. Let the cry babies that shed tears every day because they can't return to Cameroon, keep praying for the numerous daredevils who can return and do creative stuff.

In 2008, i spent a cozy night at Savoy Palms in Limbe. In December 2009, i discovered an even more magnificent structure, Chariot hotel ina me very own Chariot town! Man, tings are happening dong dey... what a dreaming lad you are man! Wake up! How can these Diasporans build such businesses if the country was as impossible as you try so hard to paint the picture.

Innocent, you one jamblasted liar! To hell with your scare tactics.

Lazy man Agbormbai, the Chinese are under absolutely no obligation to hire workforce in Cameroon, as typified by the ubiquity of Polish construction companies which legally import their manpower from Poland. Cameroonians must learn to create their own investment avenues, as this will undoubtedly provide effective incentives for others. Once the demand for investment gets larger enough, the government shall be forced to institute things like tax incentives and even some kind of micro financing for small enterprises, and even leasing to encourage people to work harder and invest further.

Now, i am not talking about remittances which ironically impoverish families by rendering them everlastingly dependent, and creating such a destitute generation. The private sector is in our hands, and that's the future. People ought to learn to create revenue from the slightest chances and expenses.

The only reason why Cameroon is still lagging behind is simply because of people like Innocent Chia and others who seem to suggest that by refusing to invest in Cameroon, they'll starve the regime. Well, they have their right to choose not to return to Cameroon. I just wonder why they still bother to write about what becomes of the country.

I personally am not a politicain, i don't care about the regime, but i'll go for my vision. Biya and others will leave tomorrow, and Cameroon will still be saddled with the very same tons of nerve-racking woes, if not worse. Amidst all the troubles, alot of money is being harvested in Cameroon every blessed day, and it'll only get better as my studies revealed.

[Felix]

Well said Ras Tuge.
It puzzle me to see People in this forum like AA Agbormbai paraphrasing writings of his counterpart Inocent Chia and trying to interpret it or Analyzing it?.
This reminds me on the journalistic exercise that usually follows Biya speech on Crtv.
Its never too late to turn the tide in Cameroon.

[Ntaho Boniface]

Mr. Chia and his praise singers have no time to do some good research. Chia feeds them with these lousy economic theories.
So Mr. Chia, Cameroon's problem now is about Chinese products, not HIV/AIDS, Malaria and malnutrition, unemployment, and the others?
You're running out of stream. look for a real job. You talk about competition. Can you compete with other journalists in the U.S. ? Then, go write this rubbish for the Chicago Tribune, and see whether you will be retained as a journalist. We turn to bask in empty glory, because we surround ourselves with those who cannot read. Please do some research.

[Dwayne Etu]

Mr Boniface, what you and other critics of Mr. Chia are doing is simply launch into ad hominem attacks that generate more heat than light. OK, so Chia cannot compete with the journalists of Chicago Tribune. Hurray for ESSTIC!!! But you have not given a single point that challenges any of the issues that he has raised. I am sure if he had written about unemployment you would have had something to complain about. BTW, has it even crossed your mind that his article on the Chinese and Chinese products, no matter how wrong, are actually dealing with an actual cause of unemployment and malnutrition in Cameroon? have you heard of the devastation caused by Chinese trawlers on the fishing industry in Fako division?

I might not agree with Mr. Chia's analysis but to try and claim that it is not based on real facts on the ground shows how far removed from the country that we claim to know so well.

To use your own words, "please do some research", and please learn how to elevate the debate by challenging facts rather than focusing on people. If Chia wants to "bask in empty glory" that is his business; all we are interested in when we visit this blog is what he writes and nothing more. Everything else is irrelevant

[limbekid]

@ Dwayne Etu,

you pre-empted me. I may not agree with the blogger but this was transforming into a Innocent Chia - bashing ceremony. The article was not meant to be a monologue. If we have observations lets make them courteously.

[Watesih]

Ras Tuge,it,s incredible to see you say one thing today and say another a day after. Few days ago you said slavery was definitel facilitated by Africans themselves. Are you not involved in singing the praises of the Chinese knowing fully well our relationship with them is turning out to be another nightmare for us? Chinese are given funds by their government to invest and buy up companies,but you want Cameroonians to use their hands and create investment and then the government will come in. Who is supposed to create a condusive business environment,the gov't or the people? Even when forced to do so the government, of Cameroon doesn't want to do that. The HIPIC funds lay fallow in BEAC,but the government preferred not to give to top businessmen in the country because they are mostly Bamilekes. Since Cameroon is doing fine could you tell us one major project the government used these funds to start off? Instead they have to wait for Chinese alms to build stadiums. This was after Biya received 2.5 billion loan from them two years ago. Little wonder the Chinese have mistaken this as greenlight to suffocate us. As for you Felix, I thought you were going to tell us some are companies in Kumba and Bastos,to show you learned something from Indians and Pakistanis. You'd better live in Cameroon and see how smooth you will manage the funds from your rents,than to be abroad and pretend to s,pit on the diaspora. Son of the soil, it's good you are showing the world how Cpdm thugs help to facilitate the immigration of Cameroonians. If government officials to do such a dirty job and there no one to call them to order what does it imply? It implies the government is happy the young people are leaving,so the resources should only be meant for old thugs. Has this not been the case over the years

[Ntaho Boniface]

The facts are right there for all to see, and as I indicated in a previous comment, Chia lacks the moral authority to lecture others about Chinese and Cameroon immigration policy, because he is currently not living in Cameroon. Articles of this nature are meant to stir up hatred, and should not be brought forth by any one trained as a journalist. And about facts on the ground, I would like anyone on this forum to tell the world if prior to Chinese coming to Cameroon, Cameroonians had anything to offer their own citizens. The Chinese shops that I saw when I last visited Cameroon, had some Cameroonians hired by these shopk owners. Did Chia raise any concerns,as someone rightly pointed out, when Cameroonians carried, and are still ferrying, defective products to sell in Cameroon? Are some of the highway accidents, that are so high in Cameroon, not partially the results of cars with defective brakes and so on? And honestly speaking, can anyone also tell the world, if Cameroonian children are dying because of some defective products from China? Cameroon has far larger issues than poor Chinese immigrants who are tying to eke out a living for themselves, and Chia, should, with objectivity, focus on those issues. You talked about attacking the person. Check out his writing, and tell me honestly if his attacks are on issues. I find, throughout his writings, denigrations of huge proportions.
Did he raise these issues when he worked for the regime a while back? As someone rightly pointed, it is not bravery when we throw invectives on a regime from overseas. Cowards turn to indulge themselves that way.

[Felix]

I am not spitting on the Diaspora, what I am trying to do is to point out that there is light in the Darkest of tunels and most of the time we can turn difficult circumstances into advantages and developement(Thats what invention is all about).Rather than folding our arms and crying how difficult it is to develope our country its good to tell how many times one have tried to make things work in that country.Inventors does not get things don overnight they toil and work endlessly and fail multiple times but they don't give up.
Why is it that our case and those of Diasporas is to cry foul and Never have the courage to start up anything? Or try to start up with the goal of failing since we have a comunity that fails.
I have tried to raise a company in Buea and I have failed but I am not giving up, I am rasing the capital to start it up once more,its very painful experience but I need to fail Many times before I give up.Watesih I know the word Company is too Big for you to comprehend and most Cameroonians will put their investment in building houses rather than companies.If only you and others can break out of your myopic and fearfully ways of reasoning you will discover that to build a company takes just courage for planning.Patience is needed because time is a slow factor when you want to see rewards.Most companies may take more than 10 years to break Even.Beside company needs time to grow and stabilized with Market forces.Of course some capital too, some starting capital equal to that of building a house.
Wake up my Friends, wake up Now!!!!!!

[Bob Bristol]

When a business deal is proposed to a Cameroonian, especially by email, the first thing that comes to mind is that it maybe some kind of scam. I've been yearning to meet Cameroonians who can beat their chest of a clean reputation, for us to start something. We cannot afford to function and even dream of succeeding as individuals. Partnership has been the key throughout history. If 20 Cameroonian diaspora pool say 5000 dollars each, we could create a serious impact in cameroon. Unfortunately, we would be functioning within an environment with all sorts of anti-progressive forces; with agents of the government being the principal force. You either militate with them, or you shut down.

[Nanji Paul]

No doubt that the Chinese are turning up in swarms to take up land. But without them, these lands are lying in waste and not put to good use.

Without cheap but substandard China goods, most in Cameroon probably wouldn't be able to afford even the rejects from US/Europe. It's a choice between having something not so good or none at all. Which would you choose? It's a no brainer.

If Innocent Chia did some homework, he would have discovered that most good quality HK, Japanese or even US branded goods are made in China. Toyota cars are in global headlines recently due to faulty acceleration caused by defective part manufactured for them by USA parts maker CTS. What does this imply? Good stuff or bad lemon, it depends on the QC of the brand, not merely the country of origin.

All the Sino-bashing is probably due to own biasness or personal hatred of "righteous self-proclaimed Mr Citizen Journalist". My guess is that he is a propagandist of some Western government. A hidden agenda to incite antipathy. Mr Innocent is not that innocent afterall.

[Watesih]

Son of the soil,you must be under some illusion that the literature you write about the diaspora anytime a topic falls short of singing praises to the G0P is going to stiffle or scare people from discussing topical issues about their country. You have been on and on about the diaspora erronuously thinking this will forestall debate about the governments inadequacies. This debate is not about the diaspora and it's lifestyle. It is about how we as a people manage space. The Chinese like using the words "Core interest" to keep other unfriendly eyes from tampering with their sphere of influence. We also have our own core values and interests that we have to defend. It is our country and it is up to us to be interested in the way it is run. Innocent Chia hasn't called on us to close the door on the Chinese. He is decrying the rush and indiscriminate exploitation of our limited resources. He is decrying unchecked immigration pattern. This ir the crux of the matter. The Chinese ought to inculcate their values first ,for what you may call trial period of 10 to 15 years. They can't give a loan of 2.5 billion two years ago and will readily want to wipe out our fishery resources as is the case in Limbe. Afterall, Titus Edzoa made away with 8 billion,so why would our government lose 8 to get 2.5 and auction our resources to the first bidder? These are the tough questions and they have nothing to do with the diaspora. 80% of waterways in China are polluted ,so it clear they are in great need of natural resources. It is up to our government to provide them with these taking into consideration the needs of future generations. Our financial and security resources have been hijacked by the French for 50 years. The limited and precious natural resources left at our disposal are the only things left for our wellbeing. The idea of some modern-day magical hand coming to take us to the promised land should not in anyway be entertained. The resources we give must be commensurate to the help we receive or vice versa.

[Moby Wrap]

Once the demand for investment gets larger enough, the government shall be forced to institute things like tax incentives and even some kind of micro financing for small enterprises, and even leasing to encourage people to work harder and invest further.

[Alando]

my comments are measured. sure chinese are milking us. but are we babies? Mr Chia makes it looks like we are babies being spoonfed by the chinese. i do disagree. some of us back home are simply greedy. so well why blame the chinese for our failures? who is responsible for drafting sound labor laws in the country/ the chines? i don't think so. who is responsibly for guarding the and protecting public health? let us look inside the house try to clean it before picking a quarrel with the mango tree for shedding its leaves in the dry season which dirties the porch. focus on the essence mr Chia not the accidents.