China Open Mic Hangout - Chinese Miners in Ghana
Channel: Andy Shuai Liu
Date: 2013-06-16

For more information, visit http://ChinaOpenMic.com

The recent arrests and release of Chinese miners* in Ghana have started another round of debates over China's growing presence in Africa. Much has been covered in international media. Many discussions have looked at issues such as China's foreign investments and Chinese labor in Africa. These lively conversations touched on two topics that need to come further to the forefront: The struggle of the poor and the lack of an effective legal environment for sustainable development.

If we look back at the recent history, we will be reminded that Deng Xiaoping, the reformist Chinese leader, encouraged economic development by all means when he opened up the Middle Kingdom to the world in 1979.

"It doesn't matter if a cat is black or white, so long as it catches mice," said Deng.

Today, we may be in a world that is just a bit different. Can we then still say, "Don't mind the illegal miners, so long as they've got us gold"?

On Sunday, June 16, China Open Mic will take a deeper dive into the case of Chinese miners in Ghana with a diverse group of enthusiasts and specialists in China and Africa relations via Google Hangout. Together, they explored:

-- What are the historical linkages between China and Ghana?
-- How are the poor in Ghana and in China related to the escalation of the dispute over gold mining?
-- What are the challenges for both China and Ghana to ensure that their development efforts are fair to, and can benefit, all?
-- Looking ahead, how can China, Africa and international communities work together to strengthen the rule of law and promote good governance for optimal development outcomes?

Who Were on the Panel

-- Winslow Robertson (@Winslow_R), historian, specialist in China-Africa relations, and founder of the Sino-Africa DC group
-- Jemila Abdulai (@jabdulai), founder and editor of Circumspect, a blog on Ghana, Africa and development
-- Shuang Bin (TBC), scholar in democracy and governance with a focus on China-Africa relations

The hangout was moderated by Andy Shuai Liu (@ChinaOpenMic), founder and editor of China Open Mic, and a communications consultant for international development.

Visit http://ChinaOpenMic.com for more information
___________________
*Earlier this month, over 100 Chinese gold miners were arrested by the authorities of Ghana for illegal mining. All detained miners have now been reported to return to China from Ghana along with nearly 1,000 other Chinese gold miners, after diplomatic consultations were conducted between the governments of Ghana and China.