Chinglification
A new word is making its entry in the domain of international politics: chinglification. It refers to the intensifying contacts and rapprochement between Chinese and English speaking communities.
EU-fication
Since the term chinglification made its appearance in international literature to describe how the Chinese and English languages and cultures are rapidly finding more common interests, the term EU-fication seems likewise justified. The problems accompanying horizontal EU-fication are exemplified by the recent and lively discussions over Turkey´s accession, as Islam is increasingly seen as a threat to what are considered traditional western values. Vertical EU-fication, on the other hand, refers to the degree of social, political and economic disparity between current member states. It is not only north-south relations that matter. The challenge of dealing with east-west differences is gaining importance, not only globally but also internally. Managing the EU-fication process adroitly is one of the ultimate diplomatic challenges of the coming decades.
Chinglification and the African continent
China does not beat about the bush when it comes to its ambition of becoming a world power. Few today have any doubts that this ambition will eventually be satisfied and that Chinese high profile brands will find their way across national borders. Before that happens, there will be a transition period during which Europeans and Americans will remain loyal to their home brands. This is what happened when Toyota moved into the Western markets during the second half of the last century. Africa, lacking a strong home industry and brand loyalty, may be able to benefit from this. Purchasing cheap yet good quality Chinese products at a comparatively early stage may provide an unexpected opportunity to catch up a little bit with the rest of the world.
China´s responsibility in Africa
After 1949 the Chinese communists established relations with many African countries in an effort to contain capitalist expansion. Generations of African students went to the People´s Republic to study, typically entering a one-year language course followed by a regular university program, often in one of the agricultural disciplines. Fostering speedier development in African nations was an integral part of cold war tactics.
Today, worldwide Chinglification makes clear that countries desire to become more capitalist by the day, in spite of the official communist party line. It is in the best interest of China not to forget the relationship it has developed with Africa in the course of the past decades, and to ensure that Africa does not miss connecting with the developed world. By keeping the prices of its consumer goods systematically low in Africa, and by sustained guidance and cooperation, the PRC may have a bigger role to play in international politics and economics than it yet realizes. China, well on its way to developed country status, can help Africa cross the chasm between the underdeveloped and the developing world. By accepting its full responsibility, China has the unique opportunity to live up to what may be expected from a country with genuine world power aspirations.
Chinglification in Africa
The Chinese and English languages and cultures are gaining common ground and are becoming the driving forces of our world. This development could have serious implications for the African nations under French influence. With communication between Chinese and English being difficult enough as it is, one of the major challenges of this century will be finding ways to ensure that French-speaking countries in Africa manage to keep up with their English speaking neighbors. Meeting this challenge is a sine qua non condition for the continent to be lifted to a higher level of development.
The effect of Chinglification in South America
Spanish and Portuguese are the languages of South America. The need to learn English never seemed very urgent. Could the chinglification process be about to change this? Chinese and English are becoming ever more important in the world and it may well be that South American people will have to learn English after all if they do not want to miss the China locomotive that is pulling the world economy. In any case, it is a more likely scenario than the Chinese rushing to Spanish language schools.