China “gifted” the African Union a headquarters building and then allegedly bugged it

[TaiShang]

African leaders dismiss China's "spying" on AU

(Xinhua) 15:51, January 30, 2018

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on Monday rejected a French media report that alleged China was spying on the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission speaks during closing session of the 30th African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on January 29, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

The French newspaper Le Monde said China had bugged the building it had built and gifted to the AU in 2012 and had been downloading data from servers in the building.

"There's nothing to be spied (on) because (the) China-Africa relationship is very strategic, comprehensive," Hailemariam said on the sidelines of the 30th AU summit held at the AU headquarters.

AU Commission Chair Moussa Faki told a press conference at the end of the summit that he did not find any sign that the AU building was being spied upon.

Calling the report "sensational", "preposterous" and "totally untrue", Kuang Weilin, head of the Chinese mission to the AU, said the AU headquarters is a very important project donated by China to support the pan-African bloc.

China's relationship with Africa and the AU will go on and be further strengthened, Kuang said.

"That is the tide of the times that one newspaper, one sensational story can't stop," he added.

Kuang also questioned the paper's intention as the article was published a day before the AU summit.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2018/0130/c90000-9421685.html

 

[RoadRunner401]

Every Network and every software has a back door, question is How did the French find out? Who allowed French into the servers.

Every country is spied on except the Indians they are invincible, every bullet Indians paint is a game changer, Chinese investment in Pakistan government sector is bugged, but American, Israeli and European Systems in INDIAN government aren't

 

[Serpentine]

No matter if this news is confirmed or not, nothing is free in this world. I won't blame Chinese in this case, neither any other country, since all look after their own interests. Those to blame are naive countries that think others, especially bigger powers will do anything out of good heart or for free. Not necessarily spying, but economic or political interests the least.

 

[Rashid Mahmood]

Who doesn't spy.
What do embassies do all around the world.

 

[The Eagle]

Every nation does so either friendly or enemy. Read US in case of France Or Germany that many called upon the same as outright disgusting approach by US Agencies that too against Friendly nations. Then it comes to rivals and I don't think so that there would be any nation that wouldn't try to spy on others. US didn't even spare their friends in west let alone others. Furthermore, didn't Modi office claimed that ISI bugged his office in Delhi and use to spy so one wonders, whether to claim ISI's strength or to feel sorrow w.r.t. Indian's portraying as helpless. Russia did help Turkiye right before anti Erdogan Coup and helped them contain the situation. It's a web and none can play innocent into this though, not the fault of India when it comes to throw mud at others.

 

[mike2000 is back]

I take your comments as being very offensive.
AU HQ is an open forum and there is nothing secretive between our nations. If Chinese feel they can have an advantage listening so be it; they will have to contend with multitude of languages.

Seriously, African countries have to wake up from their incompetence. Blaming China is unfair. How come Africa which is the richest continent on the planet (in terms of natural resources, landscape, abundance of rivers/oceans, hood climate etc) and yet they have to get their AFRICAN UNION HEADQUARTERS from a foreign power as a gift? At least they should have some shame.

Seriously, these African countries should at least be more proactive and have some sort of pride. Especially on a critical issue like the headquarters of a 53 nation building. This is unbelievable. Blaming China for doing what is in their interests is just wrong and scoring cheap points. Any sane power would have probably done the same thing if given the chance, including my own country. So I see nothing wrong in this news. African countries should be more responsible and stop waiting for foreign powers to help them.

As long as host nations do not complain, then outsiders should not get worried about it..

I agree 100%

 

[Reichsmarschall]

I am sure in CCP's China concepts like "Privacy", "Diplomatic professionalism", "freedom" do not exist. They spy on there own citizens and you expect them to spare foreign citizens?

Hey NSA you there Fam?

 

[denel]

Seriously, African countries have to wake up from their incompetence. Blaming China is unfair. How come Africa which is the richest continent on the planet (in terms of natural resources, landscape, abundance of rivers/oceans, hood climate etc) and yet they have to get their AFRICAN UNION HEADQUARTERS from a foreign power as a gift? At least they should have some shame.

Seriously, these African countries should at least be more proactive and have some sort of pride. Especially on a critical issue like the headquarters of a 53 nation building. This is unbelievable. Blaming China for doing what is in their interests is just wrong and scoring cheap points. Any sane power would have probably done the same thing if given the chance, including my own country. So I see nothing wrong in this news. African countries should be more responsible and stop waiting for foreign powers to help them.


I agree 100%

Mike
There is nothing to be spied on. We see mostly a lot of positive from Chinese work in this continent. Yes there are some issues but overall, they have taken this continent forward in a massive way.

 

[TaiShang]

Seriously, these African countries should at least be more proactive and have some sort of pride. Especially on a critical issue like the headquarters of a 53 nation building. This is unbelievable. Blaming China for doing what is in their interests is just wrong and scoring cheap points.

Which specific African country formally blamed China?

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

We do not let Chinese anywhere near our government sectors. Private companies are free to cooperate with Chinese at their risk.

Meanwhile GHQ doesnt even let Generals enter without authorisation... and several checks... let alone foreigners.

They would only hear "bob", "vegene" "nyc" "seksi" "nippal" amongst the chorus of bud-bud-bud-bud-bud.

---

Seriously though - don't trust French sources on Africa. France is desperately trying to hold onto it's empire in Africa. They still force 14 countries to pay a tax to them today¬

http://siliconafrica.com/france-colonial-tax/

French are the worst of the worst..

They raped the african continent(along eith other European states.. like genocidal belgium) and still are exploiting african states.. controlling their natural resources and supporting dictatorships.

 

[mike2000 is back]

Mike
There is nothing to be spied on. We see mostly a lot of positive from Chinese work in this continent. Yes there are some issues but overall, they have taken this continent forward in a massive way.

There is nothing to be spied on? Really??
It's like saying there is nothing to be spied on our European Union building headquarters. We should have allowed a foreign power to build the headquarters of the EU for us and bugged it. After all we have nothingb to fear, since tthere is nothing to be spied on that building. @Blue Marlin, @waz, @Hamartia Antidote
As if there is a free lunch in business. Lol

This is beyond hilarious. What did they expected? .....Its Chinese, its "free money", its a "gift from China". I am sure in CCP's China concepts like "Privacy", "Diplomatic professionalism", "freedom" do not exist. They spy on there own citizens and you expect them to spare foreign citizens?And whoever expects anything different perfectly deserves what is coming for them.

I disagree. You are talking as if China is the only power to run such a spy network. Every major power will obviously engaged in such surveillance and spy activities to further their interests, not just China. It all depends on your capabilities and potential. Reason major powers like U. S, RUSSIA, China, U. K France etc have all be proven to run such vast surveillance capabilities at home and abroad. There is nothing wrong with that. Its all about securing your country's interests and strengthening your hand in the negotiating table (which is advantageous when you are already aware of what your partners/partners are up to beforehand).
It just depends on how much exposure you give the foreign country /power in question.

To be honest, no matter how I look at it, this is the height of incompetency. I'm sorry to say this, but that's a fact, sometimes the truth needs to be said even if it might hurt some people and their 'pride'. Come on, how can you be so incompetent to wait for a foreign power/country to come and build, equip and hand you your continents headquarter building as a gift?
Like seriously? Who even does that?
This African leaders should at least have some shame to be honest. Even though I can attest(having visited many of this African countries) that many of this subsaharan African despots couldn't care less as far as they remain in power and keep embezzling their peoples money and resources for themselves and their cronies. Its no wonder they can't (more like don't want to) spend money to build a headquarters building for their continents union building. It's really sada and pathetic to be honest . However Africans needs to wake up, no foreign Country will ever come and help you uplift yourself from your current plight. They have to get things done themselves. Else they will remain like this forever.
On the bright side there are some very few African countries who are doing well. Like Botswana, but they are an exception not the norm.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

There is nothing to be spied on? Really??

Just 3 days ago...
https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2018/01/29/au-leaders-hold-talks-on-reforms-and-free-trade_c1705114
....'The opening of the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa,Ethiopia, was preceded by hours of closed-door talks centred on AU reforms.'

Yep...no secrets...everything is in the open.

 

[mike2000 is back]

I agree, the incompetence of despots is undebatable(you can even see them justifying it or shamelessly sweeping it under the carpet, but doing it in the guise of favor and then getting eventually caught is poetically amusing. Whats even more funny is both Africans and Chinese denying it. Pretty sure the technician who discovered it will get fired to sooth the pride of both parties. No wonder Africa is in shit.

Bro. The level of incompetence in most African country is ridiculous. The funny thing is that, despite the government of these poor countries bring among the most corrupt, incompetent and tribalistic on earth the people of these countries dont even seem to care anymore. These corrupt useless government can't even provide the most basic necessity to their people and despite that they are under no real pressure to do better. Its like the people there have given up to some extent and accepted their fate (that if suffering). Fir example even here in Britain, despite the fact that we are among the most wealthiest country on earth with high living standards/world class educational system etc our government /leaders and those in authority are constantly under pressure and screening from our public/media so they can improve even more or do things in a better more efficient way, since we know it can always be better. However, to most of these African countries I have been to, the authorities there seem very relaxed and under no real pressure to achieve more or do better, despite the level of incompetence and chaos they have inflicted and are still inflicting on their people. If anything many people you talk to there will say their government is doing well. Lol. I think it's because the standard there is so low that they don't expect much. That's what is more troubling than anything else. It's sad to be honest.

Just 3 days ago...
https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2018/01/29/au-leaders-hold-talks-on-reforms-and-free-trade_c1705114
....'The opening of the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa,Ethiopia, was preceded by hours of closed-door talks centred on AU reforms.'

Yep...no secrets...everything is in the open.

It seems 53 countries (vast majority of them super rich in natural resources) can't afford to build a headquarters building for their union. Can you imagine how crazy that sound?
Just goes to show you how incompetent these African despots can be.

 

[denel]

Bro. The level of incompetence in most African country is ridiculous. The funny thing is that, despite the government of these poor countries bring among the most corrupt, incompetent and tribalistic on earth the people of these countries dont even seem to care anymore. These corrupt useless government can't even provide the most basic necessity to their people and despite that they are under no real pressure to do better. Its like the people there have given up to some extent and accepted their fate (that if suffering). Fir example even here in Britain, despite the fact that we are among the most wealthiest country on earth with high living standards/world class educational system etc our government /leaders and those in authority are constantly under pressure and screening from our public/media so they can improve even more or do things in a better more efficient way, since we know it can always be better. However, to most of these African countries I have been to, the authorities there seem very relaxed and under no real pressure to achieve more or do better, despite the level of incompetence and chaos they have inflicted and are still inflicting on their people. If anything many people you talk to there will say their government ilia doing well. Lol. I think it's because the standard there is so low that they don't expect much. That's what is more troubling than anything else. It's sad to be honest.


It seems 53 countries (vast majority of them super rich in natural resources) can't afford to build a headquarters building for their union. Can you imagine how crazy that sound?
Just goes to show you how incompetent these African despots can be.

It is ok, just a building only. Most affairs are local to countries and not discussed at such buildings. I dont understand why volks are getting hot and bothered.

I agree, the incompetence of despots is undebatable(you can even see them justifying it or shamelessly sweeping it under the carpet), but doing it in the guise of favor and then getting eventually caught is poetically amusing. Whats even more funny is both Africans and Chinese denying it. Pretty sure the technician who discovered it will get fired to sooth the pride of both parties. No wonder Africa is in shit.

Watch your mouth.... This s word is not warranted;

 

[925boy]

1. Spying in this context is wrong, and if it wasnt, then why did CHina have to hide it?

2. This case proves there really are no free lunches. VERY few valuable things are free in this world. VERY FEW.