For many years, China has caused unease in the international community for its investment-driven aid to Africa without strings attached. Though such an apprehension largely remains today, some major development players are showing a more embracing attitude toward the emerging Asian donor.
One of the most vocal is the United Kingdom. In October, Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell indicated that the U.K. wants to partner with China to help end poverty in Africa.
“We are looking to work very closely with China,” Mitchell told BBC News. “And those discussions have already started. That is a high priority for the coalition government. In partnership with China, we will be able to do much more to speed up development in Africa.”