This is yet another reason why we must always remain on our guard, whether its the West or the Chinese, telling us what to do or why things are the way they are. That western-style democracy carries with it the "root of the disaster" is a bold statement that will not withstand the test of reality or history.

The reality, my brothers and sisters - as we all know full well - is that the elections in Kenya were rigged and not well organised. Had they not been rigged, and had they been well organised, and had all parties involved seen them to be free and fair - in other words had the electoral process been RESPECTED by all - things would not be as they currently are.

If the integrity of the elections were guaranteed and assured, I doubt anybody would have challenged it. The same applies to most, if not all, other failed African elections. As it stands the opposition in Kenya has every reason to be disgruntled and angry. The elections were stolen.

But then the Chinese don't really know about free and fair elections either, do they? So it is not surprising that the author is simply ignorant and undeducated about the real reasons why democracy is difficult in our part of the world. Since when are Chinese communists experts on human rights and elections and democracy? What a laugh! Namibians can teach Chinese communists a lesson or two about elections, freedom, democracy and human rights. The Chinese communist authorities trample on human rights at will. But will they listen? I doubt it, my friends. That is not to say that the Chinese people are not yearning for freedom, for the rule of law, for democracy like we have it in Namibia.

This one for the cards, Oneword!

Touché, comrade_007! Touché!

Aluta!

China remains a society in the grip of a Communist party that will brook no dissent. It is a totalitarian regime through and through, where even the basic freedoms that we enjoy in our Republic are neither allowed, nor practised. Chinese commentators who are in the pockets of the communist party or the Chinese state will speak on behalf of the communist party, and their comments should be read as such.

I agree with Oneword, that this is pure proaganda aimed at creating the impression that the promised land can be reached by instituting centralised political control, curtailing the rights and freedoms of citizens and meddling in every aspect of society, whether economic, social or political. It is a Big Brother state, except that the big brother is rather nasty. I reject the notion that democracy is at the root of our problems. It's utter rubbish. I also prefer our African democratic route. Well said, Comrade_007.

But let us also remember: Not all Chinese are communists, and not all Chinese love their state and political dispensation. It would be profoundly wrong to say that all Chinese are communists, and that therefor all Chinese act on behalf of and in the interest of the communist party and the state that it for all intents and purposes created and owns, and that is created in its image.

Hear, Hear, Uncle Paul!!!!!!!!!

"China says it maintains a strict policy of not interfering in other countries' internal affairs and claims Chinese investment in Africa is improving human rights through economic development."
my friend africa is a continent of nutural resourses soo chineses dont want to invest or improve the only thing they want is what the african have than leave africa...chineses are investing the little to get more ....if they want to improve they must do samething with kenya!!!!

one day our leaders will know what happaning!!!!!!!

Xinhua/AP[/QUOTE]

Actually I agree with m a m!!!!!! That punctuation, though!!!!!!!!!! UNAM???????????

It is not exactly democracy that hurts Africa, rather the short cuts taken-----short cuts, literally---- at onset of nations building, lack of or poor mobilization for the cause; the deliberate option to deviate from the principles and rules and infuse the Big Man ways, out of ignorance and greed; lack of enlightenment that could setup basic foundation for the administrative and power hierarchy course; perpertual waves of stagnations due to poor national building foundations---ethnicity, dialects, illiteracy, etc.. As well as former colonial masters continued interest and cultural hegemonies. I am saying this knowing that there is no other way follow other than the democratic rule. Since there is no longer an ancient African model to resort to and if there could be, perhaps antiquated and defeated

Let us not substitute logic and reality for emotion and ego. Africans has nothing that China could "hit around the bush" for. If China needed Africa's natural resources, the door is wide open. De Beers says so. Your neighbor whom you do not see eye-to-eye says so. [/B]They do not need to come all the way to Africa either and nor are they cash strapped like or lacking the know-how like...... We need every one including China. We are the scum of the earth.

You could boast with your short lived liberties, perhaps China has given it to you, any way. Remember the Tripatite thing that handed over the liberation. Soon China will taketh away through the proposed Media Council. You forget Namibia's jobs, tenders and contracts begin with them before thrown back to you. SWAPO is working hard to meet China's proposed reforms away from a multi-party and pluralism, mind you.