Quote:
Originally Posted by Raellus
Tony,
I agree with a lot of what you have to say but I question T2K China's ability to maintain trade links with Africa.
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Rae,
Let's just say I think it's plausible but I wouldn't go to the wall to defend my opinions in this case.
Regarding your specific points, China was a major industrial power before and during the Twilight War (while the industrial infrastructure lasted). Aid from the west would be important, but the Chinese would want to make use of their own extensive manufacturing infrastructure so as to not become too dependent on western aid. Much like how Lend-Lease to the Soviet Union was secondary to Russia's own industry. The west in turn would have every reason to assist in shipping raw materials from Africa and protecting Chinese shipping because an independently-supplied Chinese industry complements their own aid efforts (and it's cheaper for them). In other words, it's not a case of competing priorities when it comes to either Chinese trade with Africa and/or direct western aid: both could complement each other.
After the nuclear strikes, France (as the surviving European industrial power) would see it in their interests to continue to assist China, because they have no real motive to see China collapse completely. After all, if they are the sole superpower in the postwar world they're just going to have to pick up the pieces! For their faults, China is not an aggressor in the Twilight War (unlike NATO and the PacWar) and so are relatively blameless. Some kind of Chinese entity would still be a valuable postwar counter-weight to the Soviet Union or whatever political entity governs Russia or parts thereof. Even covertly, assisting China (whichever faction) in maintaining trade ties to Africa could be in France's best interests, and is certainly very cost-efficient for them.
So, I could still see some kind of Chinese presence in Africa during the early Twilight War with western (US/UK) support (including naval protection or re-flagging vessels) and then in the late war period with French assistance. Not strictly canon but fits in with the complicated international relations, even in the late war period.
Really, I'm just playing devil's advocate. I don't feel strongly either way; I could see China having some kind of presence in Africa or not.
Tony