China’s New Role in Africa
Just after the conclusion of the Africa-China summit in Egypt, BBC reports on China-Africa relations beyond the financial deals that get so much attention in the international press:
[Wen Jiabao] promised $10bn of new loans as China seeks to secure lucrative contracts for the continent’s considerable natural resources.
He also promised new power stations and debt-relief initiatives for the poorest nations.
But as BBC correspondent Christian Fraser found out, on the summit floor there was a mixed reaction to China’s involvement in Africa.
Business deals are not the only signs of increased engagement between China and the African continent, the report continues:
There are a growing number of language schools in Africa, teaching Chinese.
Omni Tech computer services in Nairobi is just one of the places offering Chinese language courses in the city.
Lucy Gathingee is the school’s programme director:
Cultural exchanges are also happening. African musicians like John Masuka of Sisi Tambala, from Tanzania, have been invited to perform in China:
