China's investment makes big imprint on Portuguese world

China is stepping up its trade and investment with Portuguese-speaking (Lusophone) countries, but the growing ties with some of the former Portuguese colonies have come at a price.

'Chinese investment projects are having a major impact on Africa,' said Hugo Williamson, the managing director of the Risk Resolution Group, an international risk consultancy.

'If one travels around Angola, you repeatedly encounter signs stating China's role in building various infrastructure products. China's presence, initially discreet, is now felt very prominently.'

In January last year, Angola hosted Africa's flagship football tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations. In preparation for the games, China's Shanghai Urban Construction Group was awarded a U$600 million contract to build four 40,000-seat stadiums - in Benguela, Cabinda, Luanda and Lubango.

But while China's huge and growing economic ties with Angola and other Lusophone nations have lifted millions out of poverty, they have also become the focus of violence and social tension.

In Angola, protesters entered the premises of Chinese companies, committing robbery and threatening the Chinese staff. A Chinese businessman was badly beaten and robbed in the capital Luanda, and there have also been demonstrations in front of Chinese company buildings.

'Local sources say such attacks have grown in frequency in recent years and those reported are just the tip of the iceberg, with most cases going unreported,' Williamson said.