China has been avid supporter of Africa through thick and thin. It has walked African countries through their difficult days of underdevelopment, helping with aid and assistance that was with no strings attached, and during recent months it has not deserted Africa despite the global economic recession, which has seen demand plummeting and all nations reeling under the crisis. Scholars the world over have lauded China’s role in Africa, helping it emerge out of a state of destitution despite the ‘tied’ aid that went to Africa from the Western countries for decades. China entered the scene in 2000-2001 with its scores of investment initiatives and technical expertise. In a matter of seven or eight years, it has helped reduce poverty, set up the basic infrastructure network and helped African nations start exploiting their rich natural resources to provide employment to the local populace. China has pumped in millions for this purpose and its own elevation in terms of economic development is an example for Africa to follow.

China has also benefited in the process. Firstly, its initiatives have opened a vast African market to cheap Chinese goods. Second, and even more secondly, China has gained access to African natural mineral wealth of products ranging from oil and cobalt to diamonds and titanium. China has realized that its own mineral wealth may not be able to sustain its pace of industrial advancement, and needs additional resources, which are cheaper to source from Africa. Thirdly, it gives a big push to Chinese companies to be able to expand operations in a vast continent. Additionally, Africa has huge amounts of arable land. China with its rapidly growing population and ever expanding urban network, cannot produce enough food for its millions. Therefore, it has taken agricultural land on long lease from many African countries. China’s experiments in the field of food grain production particularly high yielding varieties of rice, are being used in countries like Kenya and Tanzania.

Trade and investment apart, tourism between China and African countries has increased significantly and both sides have benefited. The gains cannot be highlighted enough for Africa, and in turn, China has won a set of international supporters for many years to come.

Source : Manufacturers Africa