• Scrof@sopuli.xyz
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    1 year ago

    It’s not an infrastructure project, it’s a debt trap and power projection tool through bribery of corrupt leaders willing to sell out their countries.

    • Rikudou_Sage@lemmings.world
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      1 year ago

      I’ve apparently been living under a rock and have no idea what this initiative is about, care to share some quick summary?

      • TWeaK@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        Basically China is building roads and rail across from China, through India and into the Middle East. Afghanistan also includes something about getting copper from there to send back to China, I imagine other countries will have resources China is after as well.

    • TWeaK@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      What makes you say the countries it goes through are going to be in debt because of it?

      My understanding is that they won’t be, however they will be practically giving away natural resources (eg copper for Afghanistan).

      • MuhammadJesusGaySex@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Not all debt can be satisfied with money. A debt that is being paid, whether in money, natural resources, or the blood sweat tears and labor of your countrymen is still a debt.

        • TWeaK@lemm.ee
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          1 year ago

          You’re not really making sense. “A debt paid,… is still a debt that has to be paid”? If the debt is paid, it’s already been paid.

          Assuming Afghanistan owes China for the infrastructure, then that debt would be paid by giving them copper. Bought and paid for. So how are they saddled with debt? Where’s the trap?

          Obviously the deal will be a lot more complex, it might not be a great deal long term in some respects and I’m sure there’ll be a measure of corruption (there almost always is, everywhere), but at the end of the day Afghanistan is getting infrastructure it couldn’t build on its own and China is getting resources it otherwise wouldn’t have access to.

          • MuhammadJesusGaySex@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            Because the copper will be worth way more in the long run than the tech it’s funding. Plus China is notorious for putting their own people in charge of mining operations who are abusive to locals.

            I’m sure it’ll be a little more complex, but it doesn’t have to be. If China can secure cheap raw materials it helps to ensure that they can make things cheaper than anyone else.

            https://www.statista.com/statistics/744071/manufacturing-labor-costs-per-hour-china-vietnam-mexico/

            That link shows how China’s unskilled labor is now more expensive than a lot of their competitors. They need a new edge to stay relevant. The raw materials in Afghanistan is just one of many ways they are attempting to stay competitive.

            You’re right about my mis-type on the last thing I’m headed there to fix it. Thanks for pointing that out.

            • TWeaK@lemm.ee
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              1 year ago

              Yeah I’m sure China are doing it for their own advantage, but Afghanistan are still getting infrastructure they wouldn’t have had - in particular the route is going through the mountains, where there are no easy roads currently. There are significant benefits for thw other countries involved in the scheme, too.

              • MuhammadJesusGaySex@lemmy.world
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                1 year ago

                Are you ok? Do you smell toast or something? If you don’t even have a basic understanding of how life works, never mind, the CCP. I can’t help you.

                Are you implying that China is doing it out of the goodness of their little hearts? Are you suggesting that the CCP signed off on a project like this because they are such nice guys?

                I bet you believed your mom when she said you were special too. Get the fuck out of here. Hehehehehehehe

                • TWeaK@lemm.ee
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                  1 year ago

                  Are you ok? Suddenly coming unravelled like that could be a sign of dimentia.

                  • MuhammadJesusGaySex@lemmy.world
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                    1 year ago

                    Normally, I wouldn’t do this, but I’ve had some time to sleep and I think I may have misinterpreted something you typed. First off though there are a few things that I follow pretty close. Shitty religious stuff, and shitty CCP practices are probably my top things. I’m definitely not saying I’m an expert but I find those things equally interesting and infuriating.

                    Anyway, last night you called me out for the way I worded my first comment. It was perfectly understandable in its original form. Though I do admit I could have worded it better. So, I fixed it.

                    But before that comment you had shown a lack of understanding of how basic transactions work. Also, you made it sound like China was the one really helping Afghanistan and China was receiving little in the way of payment for this infrastructure. Now I won’t get into China debt traps because that’s a whole thing unto itself. But I first learned about how China treats African mine workers where similar deals have been made on gore websites. Granted it’s not as bad as what the Belgians did, but they aren’t kind.

                    Which brings me to what I think I probably misinterpreted. Because of acting like you don’t know how basic transactions work. I just assumed your statement that started with “Yeah, I’m sure…” was sarcastic. Like you were actually saying that you believed the CCP was just doing it to be cool. Which is ridiculous.

                    Anyway, maybe in the future don’t start off a conversation by critiquing someone’s grammar? Ummm wordage? I don’t know, the proper word escapes me at the moment. But, I feel like we could have had a very constructive conversation.

                    Also, I should work on my own pettiness. Like, if you insult me by calling me out on something unrelated to the topic. Even if the topic wasn’t my thing. For the next several hours it will be. So, I should also work on that.

                    I hope you have a good rest of the week.