The romance between china and africa, is there a political undertone to it?

Answer 1

Yes, of course. China is slowly asserting its influence in the African continent. Africa has oil and other natural resources which is what China needs for its rapidly growing industries. China has the industrial and technological base which is what Africa needs for its infra-structure development and modernization. It's a mutual give-and-take relationship that is beneficial for both parties.

Unfortunately, the U.S. had neglected Africa for so long. The U.S. had been focusing its attention too much in the Middle-East. The moment of timing is perfectly right for China in establishing long-term relationship with African nations. Whatever little U.S. influence that is still left in Africa, it continues to be eroded day by day.

Exactly the same situation is happening in South America. China's influence in this region is continuously expanding, while the U.S. influence in the region is slowly being diminished. South America had been neglected by the U.S. for so long too. And China is being smart enough to fill that gap.