China Juggles Its Future in Africa

ACCRA, Ghana - China isn't in Africa merely to snap up raw materials, exploit African labor, or build geopolitical influence. Rather, its goals blend a combination of all the above with a need to beta-test future global brands, open new markets, enhance its soft power through international organizations such as the International Standards Organization - where African votes carry more than a third of the weight - nurture a new diaspora and build a resilient microeconomic bridge by exporting entrepreneurs.

This consensus has taken a while to arrive, and even today there is a residual school of thought still enamored of the old "African commodities for Chinese cash - full stop" theory.