China has won accolades as the most popular partner of developing countries. This came its way from the Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete at the G20 summit. China has certainly been playing an active role in the global economic arena, trying to tone down the impact of the economic crisis by promising aid, increasing trade relations with developing countries particularly those in the African continent. It has written off bad debts and is using its surplus currency reserves to invest in developmental projects in Africa, thereby generating employment and entering sectors that the western nations walked out of, due to the crisis.

China is not merely a quiet investor and trading nation for Africa.  Not only has it moved towards acquiring raw material assets in Africa, it has boosted infrastructure development with its investments. It is sharing technical expertise, helping in improving agricultural output, and ensuring a market for African goods that were losing out as western demand fell drastically. For many African countries, China is the biggest export market. China is adopting every possible strategy to get Africa on to the fast track of development, and is showing its responsibility as an Asian powerhouse and a global economic leader. The first of its kind, an 88-day expedition is starting at Ghana, organized by the Yunnan Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. The expedition will cross seven countries including Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Algeria, Libya and Egypt, culminating at the Red Sea and involving a trek of over 7800 kilometers. This is the first time a Chinese team has ventured to cross Africa from the West to the East. Besides studying environmental issues like desertification and preservation of habitats for wild life, the members of the team will serve as goodwill ambassadors for China, and also enhance awareness among their Chinese countrymen about Africa’s developmental and investment potential and tourist charm. There is a growing Chinese middle class with funds to spare for recreational activities, and China is prodding them towards exploring the beauties and bounties of nature that Africa has to offer.

Source : China Africa