Global China in Zambia: Labor, Capital, and Cultural Tensions

🎙️Global China in Zambia: Labor, Capital, and Cultural Tensions: A Conversation with Dr. Justin Haruyama How is China’s presence in Zambia reshaping labor relations, economic structures, and global power dynamics? In this episode of Mapping Global China Conversations, we sit down with Dr. Justin Haruyama, an anthropologist whose research explores Chinese investment, labor tensions, and the complex social dynamics between Chinese and Zambian workers.

🔹 Our Guest: Dr. Justin Haruyama – Anthropologist specializing in China-Africa relations, labor dynamics, and racial capitalism. 

 

🔍 Discussion Topics:

✅ China’s Longstanding Presence in Zambia – From Cold War solidarity to modern economic power, how has the relationship evolved?

✅ Labor Conflicts & Work Culture Clashes – How do tensions emerge between Chinese managers and Zambian workers in coal mines and infrastructure projects?

✅ The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Africa – Is it reshaping economic structures, or simply reinforcing existing global inequalities?

✅ Language & Power in the Workplace – Why do language barriers create deep-seated resentment between Chinese investors and Zambian employees?

✅ Neo-Colonialism or New Opportunity? – Is China’s investment in Zambia a new form of economic dominance, or a path toward development?

 

📌 Key Takeaways:

✔ China's role in Zambia is deeply historical, dating back to the Cold War.

✔ Labor tensions and racialized perceptions shape daily interactions in Chinese-run mines.

✔ The Belt and Road Initiative’s impact is often more rhetorical than practical at the local level.

✔ Language and communication barriers fuel mistrust between Chinese investors and local workers.

 

📚 Recommended Books from Dr. Haruyama:

📖 Affective Encounters – Di Wu

📖 The Specter of Global China – Ching Kwan Lee

📖 Reconfiguring Racial Capitalism – Mingwei Huang