[GBHILLS]

In the course of our history, we have witnessed western colonialism. In the 21st century, are we prepared for some kind of Asian colonialism? I refer here to the Tianli mega-project that will emerge at vertigo heights from the soils of Riche-Terre as from this year. It is an awe-inspiring opportunity, and at the same time, frightening on several counts. China has successfully convinced the Mauritian Government to approve the construction of that mega platform from where multiprong links with the African continent will be set up for further tightening its grip on a continent that is fast turning red.

Faced with the expanded version of the original project, the Prime minister is right in asking a few questions, casting doubts on certain issues and streamlining the ambitions of the Communist world.

I also have a few questions to ask. Can we really afford the implantation of such a mega “Sino-African Project” in our highly sensitive and vulnerable small island state? That’s the key question. We need to ask ourselves some simple yet crucial questions. Without delving in some politico-economic issues, I would like to aim these questions at the current pilot or pilots of spaceship Mauritius and for that matter, to all thinking Mauritians.

In our already restricted 1 865 km2 spaceship, the vast majority of our fellow citizens suffer from fresh water shortages for our daily use year after year. Many Mauritians are already facing the sequel of water cuts from the Central Water Authority. At first, only the setting-up of a Tianli Industrial zone was tabled and the water demand was between 35 000 m3– 40 000 m3 per day. With a revised version of the project, water demand would exceed 100 000 m3 per day when the whole complex will be in full operation. What will be the source of fresh water supply? From where? How will the supply be compensated so as not to unnecessarily penalize the northern villages with drastic water cuts? Will the new Calebasses and Bagatelle reservoirs be able to make the difference?

What about electricity supply and the management of wastes: industrial, domestic and commercial ? Same worries. Who would constitute the 30 000 Chinese community in integrated Tianli ville? Their way of life, whether they come from the working class or middle and upper class, will be different from ours. The setting-up of a Chinese enclave at Riche-Terre represents a real risk. We must not forget that the 24 000 or so Mauritian workforce at Tianli ville will only constitute the day population.

Will there be a rotation of the Chinese workforce or will they be more or less semi-permanent settlers? This question is pertinent as apparently there will be special schools for the expatriate children.

From a societal point of view, will there not be a risk of any conflict? We need real integration. The locals should be prepared to accept prevailing situation.

In Zimbabwe, China is bailing out Robert Mugabe’s regime. In return, it is allowed to buy up to 70% shares in Zimbabwe’s only electricity generation facilities. In other African countries, China is slowly becoming the major shareholder in key economic sectors. The other concern is the fact that low-cost Chinese garments and other products have flooded the street of Harare, supplanting small-scale retailers and local manufactures. Representatives of the South Africa Trade Unions report the same scenario and claim that Chinese textile products have submerged the streets, placing the already fragile local textile and garments industry in a difficult situation. This is leading to a growing anti Chinese syndrome. Can we afford that to happen here?

China has constructed a town in the Democratic Republic of Congo which resembles more one on the Yangtze Kiang than reflects the Congolese environment. Shall we have the last word in the design and implementation of Tianli ville here?

Mauritius is a small island, but a big nation. We own 1.9 million km2 of marine territory. Our exclusive economic zone is one of the richest tuna fishing grounds in the world. That vast oceanic area constitutes our future and that of generations to come. The Minister of Agro-Industry has stated that every year, Mauritius loses some 64 billion rupees from illegal fishing practiced by foreign fishing vessels in our waters. Why not, instead, ask China to set up in collaboration with Mauritius, a mega-scale integrated marine based industry roping in the wonderful futuristic idea of a land-based oceanic industry?

The project of setting-up such a mega-project on our soils will have immediate economic benefits. But my worries are what may come out on a medium and long-term basis when we are long gone and when our future generations will have to bear the consequences. This reminds me of a very wise African saying: “Let us clear the broken glasses along the road so that our children and grandchildren may not hurt themselves.”

Prem SADDUL