Will US, China face off in Africa over oil reserves?

The fact that new President Barak Obama has great favor in African nations such as Kenya, his father’s native country, seems to be making waves among Chinese leaders. That is according to Professor Albert Kwong, founder and vice chairman of PetroAsian Energy Limited, a Chinese oil concern headquartered in Hong Kong. Kwong was educated in the United States and spent the years 1977-81 in Midland working for Arco (now BP).

China, now the world’s number two oil consumer, has spent decades currying favor with African nations. In the last decade or so China has been parlaying that influence into oil production opportunities on that continent. The United States has largely focused its petro-influence in the Middle East, leaving China largely alone in Africa.


Now, says Professor Kwong, Obama’s presidency brings a new face and new favor among Africans, especially in Kenya, for America.

“Being black and (his family) from Kenya, and since his grandfather was a Muslim,” Kenyans now see the U.S. more positively. “If you read newspapers in Asia,” Kwong continued, “you see that Kenya as a nation is really overjoyed to have him as president of the United States. They call him ‘the honest son of Kenya.’ They are proud that his ancestry is Kenyan.” Kwong noted Kenyans almost regard Obama as a messiah, and they believe he will listen to them more than previous U.S. leaders.

Midland Reporter-Telegram