Motives may change, but ties with Africa keep growing stronger

On the evening of October 25, 1971, when the People's Republic of China was admitted into the United Nations after 20 failed attempts, Mao Zedong was said to have exclaimed: 'It is our African brothers who carried us back!'

The nation's close ties with Africa have not changed. Hu Jintao has visited the continent four times since becoming president six years ago.

But while China remains Africa's staunchest economic and political supporter, the basis for that support has shifted from ideology to pragmatism. Accusations of 'neo-colonialism' are made from time to time, and protests and violent attacks targeting Chinese nationals and companies are on the rise.

The relationship between China and African nations can be roughly divided into three phases: the early years following the establishment of the People's Republic; the Cultural Revolution and the subsequent opening up and reform; and the past 10 years.

In the early years of what some call 'revolutionary diplomacy', China offered to be an ally for all anti-imperialist and anti-colonialist movements. When premier Zhou Enlai visited the newly independent Mali in 1964, he held talks with president Modibo Keita on the intricacies of socialism and how Mali could move smoothly towards it.

China became inward-looking during the Cultural Revolution, and was too busy recovering in the following decade. However, the tide has changed again in the past 10 years. China still offers aid, and writes off debt from time to time, but the most common formula of co-operation sees Beijing offering loans, consumer goods, technical expertise and assistance in building infrastructure in exchange for raw materials.