Thirst for oil fuels China’s grand safari in Africa

There are several motives behind China’s African safari. First, it makes economic sense: China requires access to oil and natural resources on a vast scale and wants them delivered securely. But there are also political drivers. China can use its financial muscle to drive forward its acceptance as a market economy and to exert pressure on the two dozen or so countries that still recognise Taiwan.

Ann Grant, of Standard Chartered Capital Markets, said: “China has a strategic approach to Africa, in which the markets, the energy security and the political relationships are all very much of a piece. They are looking not at the next two to three years but at the next 15 to 20 years.”
The Times