This is an interesting field.

Western countries need the specific rare minerals that exist in Africa as well as the not so rare stuffs like oil. Large scale Infrastructure like mines and airports and seaports need massive investment, usually underwritten by Governments. Western governments apply all sorts of conditions on such investments such as 'democracy', health development, roads, water supply for the people and of course the ubiquitous 'equality'.

Not quite so ubiquitous however.

The Chinese care not a jot for 'interfering' in the internal processes of African countries and impose no such onerous conditions. They care not a jot about 'democracy', hospitals and 'equality'. They might promise roads when the mines are up and running but just for mine-product transport. They will build a dirt-strip for aircraft needed to fly mine managers in and out along with the occasional Politbureau visitor. Water they import in bottles for their mine managers. Bugger everyone else. In fact bugger anyone who lives nearby, especially those clamouring for a bit of development aid for the people.

Not surprisingly they don't 'interfere' when the local Government employs gangs of murderers to drive people from good mining land (as in Sudan and Darfur).

Not surprisingly then that they seem to get so many contracts and get their hands on the oil and minerals at the expense of Western efforts.

Not surprisingly China uses its Security Council veto in the UN to block any effort to stop genocide in African countries.

I know, I am whinging and whining. Let's just go "Oooh and Aaahhh" at their fantastic 'Bird's Nest' sports stadium and say 'what a long way they have come'. But don't ask them 'When did you stop beating your Neighbour's wife'.