The fourth ministerial conference of the China-Africa Co-operation Forum held in Egypt last month saw China reaffirming its ties to the African continent. Chinese premier Wen Jiabao offered $10bn in low-cost, concessional loans to African countries over the next three years to help build financial capacity, expand infrastructure and social programmes.
China will provide a $1bn loan for small and medium-sized African enterprises and write off some loans to the poorest and most heavily indebted countries in the face of international concern that African countries are taking on too much debt from Chinese lenders.
