China-Africa ties grow and tip global balance

Beijing imports oil, metals and agricultural products too. It makes funds available and exports merchandise, manpower and technical expertise. Political ties are intense, even in the face of opposition from Europe and the US. More than 700 Chinese companies are at work in 49 African countries.

Links between China and African countries are growing fast and making an impact on global equilibrium. China, as hungry for raw materials as ever, is keen on Africa, not least because other industrialized states pose only minor competition. Africa is desperate for overseas investments and technical expertise.