China's Link to Africa

What is China's interest in Africa?
Is it political? Financial? Social?


Much has been made the past few months about the Chinese government's heavy involvement in Africa. The New York Times has dedicated an entire section to China's deepening economic and political ties with Africa.


There's certainly something there. With that in mind, news came today of the Zambian and Chinese governments signing an agreement for the construction of a 40,000-seat stadium in northern Zambia.

The stadium, which will be constructed in Ndola in the Copperbelt province, will cost an estimated $70 million.

Sports minister Gabriel Namulambe said the country's biggest-ever stadium will be ready before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"The signing ceremony marks the beginning of the construction works," he announced at the signing ceremony in Lusaka.

"This country will benefit from South Africa's hosting of the 2010 World Cup if the stadium is completed.

"I am calling upon the private sector to come on board because we need a five-star hotel next to the stadium."

China's financial involvement in Africa is very interesting.
But if it benefits the people of the continent, is it a bad thing?
A win-win situation.