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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.

Information about several papers discussed at the annual meeting held by African Development Bank (ADB) in Shanghai, China on May 17, 2007 is presented. The event focused on the issues involving ADB reform, development financing, debt management and aid to vulnerable countries. The meeting featured several speakers including Donald Kaberuka.

The article reports several economic aid around the world. A 13-billion-shilling deal has been signed by Japan with Tanzania for a water project to distribute clean and safe water for urban dwellers. China will be lending $1 billion to Nigeria for modernization of its railways and to help speed its economic development. Rwanda is the new target country and partner of the malaria initiative of U.S. and is to receive its part of $1.2 billion to control the killer disease.

The article reports on the issue surrounding the ties between China and Africa. Many have questioned the value of the relationship between the two countries. China provides low-cost development solutions for Africa. However, China's entry clashes with the interests of South African firms. Furthermore, China's interest is not in the high-value manufactured goods South Africa wants to promote, but rather on its raw materials.

This publication covers economic, financial and technical issues from Africa. Such issues include continental developments, policy and practice, industries, and communications and transport. The publication also covers China's growing share of South Africa's manufacturing import and export markets and foreign loans.

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 reports on the rise of foreign direct investments (FDI) in Africa over the last 12 months. The inflows reached $38.8 billion in 2006, which is record-breaking 26.5 percent rise. According to the author, there are diverse key sources of inflows and a rise in the investments led by China, India, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Malaysia. The challenge of Africa is to seize this opportunity to help promote domestic productive capacities to allow for a long-term wider economic and human development.

The article discusses the highlights of Fifth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing, China from July 19-20, 2012. Heads of state including South African President Jacob Zuma, President Alassane Dramane Ouattara of Côte d'Ivoire and Prime Minister Raila Odinga of Kenya, listened to Chinese President Hu Jintao, who pledged 20-billion U.S. dollar in pledges. The loans is expected to make China as the largest financiers in Africa.

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 reports that the government of Mozambique is trying to implement logging regulations to have control over the logging industry and to protect several tree species. The government's action is said to be a result of the concerns regarding the sustainability of the logging practices of China in the country since several Chinese firms were found guilty of exporting illegal timber from Mozambique. A total of 13.5 million meticais or $500,000 have been imposed on the guilty Chinese loggers.

The article reports that Malawi cut its diplomatic ties with Taiwan and established ties with China. According to Malawi's Foreign Affairs Minister Joyce Banda, the decision was made after considering the benefits that it would bring to their country. Moreover, Lilongwe and Beijing had formalized its diplomatic ties last December 27, 2007. China's government and its companies have invested in Africa in a bid to build political influence in the developing country, and others. Meanwhile, Banda claimed that projects funded by Taiwan won't be affected by the change in their diplomatic relations.

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 on the negative impact of cheap imports from China on South Africa's manufacturers. Chinese officials were told by South African Trade Minister Rob Davies of several trade concerns during his tour of East Asia in 2012. A trade deficit of 1.2 billion U.S. dollars was built by South Africa with China between January 2010 and December 2011, according to data from "Statistics South Africa."

The article reports on the 75.3 billion Kwachas provided by China for the poverty reduction programmes of Zambia. According to Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda, the money will be used on national priority programmes. He adds that China and Zambia share identical views and positions on many international and regional issues.

The article presents the August 16 to September 15, 2011 issue of the periodical "Africa Research Bulletin." The issue includes various economic and financial aspects related to Africa including continental developments, policy and practice as well as communications and transport. One report concerns the planned agricultural commodity derivatives market in Kenya. Another report deals with the 800 million U.S.-dollar loan of China to Ghana for the construction of natural gas infrastructure.

The article reports on the infrastructure deal between the China and the Democratic Republic of Congo estimated to be valued at U.S. $9.2 billion. The agreement secures 10.62 million tones of copper and 620,000 tons of cobalt for resource-hungry industries. Congo will benefit from the construction of hundreds of clinics, hospitals and schools, two hydroelectric dams, and more than 3,000 kilometers of road and railway. The major routes to be built by the Chinese in Congo would link the mineral-rich south to its ports in the west and connect the north to the south.

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.

Reports that negotiations to grant several African countries zero tariff access to China's huge markets are set to open as part of an effort to strengthen relations between Africa and China. China's promise to the continent of increased aid and debt cancellation; Agreements signed by African businesses and local authorities during the China-Africa Cooperation Forum; Increase in trade between China and Africa between 2000 and 2002.