China envoy defends Africa policy – Bridget Kendall

From BBC News:

A top Chinese diplomat has vigorously defended his country’s growing economic involvement in Africa, including close trade links with Zimbabwe and Sudan.

The charge d’affaires at China’s South Africa embassy, Zhou Yuxiao, said China was just protecting its own interests.

Its policy of non-interference in the affairs of others has nothing to do with its need to import oil, he added. [full text]

See also BBC’s “China’s Hu urges more Africa ties“; ISN Security Watch’s “Influence anxiety: China’s role in Africa”