Search

The article reports on the expanding bilateral trade relations between China and Africa. In a white paper released on December 23, 2010, the Chinese government spoke of the revitalized development of trade, investment, infrastructure, and capacity building in the continent. It also lauded the enhanced cooperation in finance and tourism between both sides. However, African governments are concerned with the influx of Chinese workers and technology transfer.

The article reports that South Africa has been formally invited to join the group of emerging economies called BRIC, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Experts believe that the accession of South Africa is in consideration of the group's economic interest in Africa. Critics noted the sluggish economic growth of the country compared with the economies of the original members. Bilateral trade between China and South Africa has also rapidly grown.

The article focuses on cooperation and trade in Libya. It notes that neighbouring countries are starting to consider re-establishing connections with the country following a crisis. According to Egyptian economic experts, stability in Libya can result to the demand for Egyptian labour and revival of a market for Egyptian products. China anticipates the continuation of its trade relations with Libya as the newspaper "Global Times" asks the West to resolve the problem in the country.

The article offers news briefs about international trade between Africa and China. South African Breweries-Miller is expanding in China by buying 70% of Qianjiang brewery and building a brewery in southern China. The Southern African Customs Union is negotiating a free trade agreement between its member states and China. China has offered to commit another $30 million to the development of downstream sector in Nigeria.

The article reports that the Maya-Maya international airport in Congo will be rehabilitated by a Chinese bank. It mentions that the rehabilitation, which includes the construction of a new runway and a new terminal, will cost about one hundred sixty million dollars. The article features Congolese Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Emile Ouosso, who comments that the rehabilitation of the airport will help improve its security. The rehabilitation will be done in two months by two Congolese companies.

The article reports that the China-Africa Development Fund worth $5bn, which is noted by Beijing as an economic assistance, will be utilized for Chinese enterprises and its projects for Africa. Relative to this, development experts believes that this tying aid to purchasing services and goods from the donor country is inefficient and wasteful while majority of the donor governments have been abandoning it because they that tying aid minimizes its effectiveness by as much as a quarter. On the other hand, most of the aid assistance of Beijing to Africa requires the construction of infrastructure and other contracts to be divided up.

The article reports on the aid and trade relation between European Union (EU) and Africa to counter China in the quest for energy and other resources. It aims to position Europe more favorably than China in terms of economic growth. The comment from the European Commission on EU's partnership with Africa is stated. In relation, it also offers information on the EU-Africa summit to be held in December in Lisbon, Portugal, wherein efforts to improve control of African migration to Europe and human trafficking will be discussed.