Since the implementation of the Chinese policy of "opening up" under Deng Xiaoping in the 1980s, China's evolving role in the world today has attracted much attention from all continents including Africa.
It is important to know, however, that China has been in Africa since the 1955 first Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung. In recent times The Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (Focac) is evidence of the deepening importance China attaches to its African engagement. How has Africa viewed China's involvement in the continent thus far? What are the implications for Africa of an increasing Chinese role in Africa? In this brief I try to highlight the China-Africa story and draw implications for Africa.
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