In Zambia with President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa - Xinhua image

Here are links and summaries of some of the press coverage:

General

Xinhua: Special section on Hu Jintao's African trip

The Financial Times: Donor bank for Africa to meet in Shanghai

The African Development Bank (ADB) has chosen to hold its annual summit in Shanghai this May in recognition of China’s increasingly pivotal role in Africa’s future.

Business Day (South Africa): Why Beijing is winning in Africa

The Economist: China and Africa — A cautious welcome

China’s relationship with Africa is growing more complicated... China is finding out that there is a lot more to doing business with Africa than simply pumping out all the resources.

Liberia

All Africa: Liberia: China Promises US$25m for 2 Years

The Chinese government has made a commitment to make available to the people of Liberia the cash amount of 200 million RMB (Chinese Money) which is approximately US$25million, Information Minister designate, Dr. Lawrence Bropleh, has disclosed.

Zambia

MWC News: Hu to open Zambian mining zone

Hu Jintao, China's president, is due to inaugurate a large mining investment zone in copper-rich Zambia, a project that Zambia's president said he hoped would help alleviate the nation's chronic poverty. The ceremony follows the Zambian government's announcement on Saturday that it had won $800m in new investment from China.

Bloomberg: China's Hu Pledges $800 Million in Zambian Investment By 2010

The Wall Street Journal: In Africa, China's Expansion Begins to Stir Resentment

Investment Boom Fuels 'Colonialism' Charges; A Tragedy in Zambia
CHAMBISHI, Zambia -- Chinese President Hu Jintao embarked on an upbeat tour of Africa this week, doling out aid and lauding China's growing economic and political ties with the continent.

But there is little love for China in this ramshackle township, which had to be dropped from the agenda of President Hu's weekend visit to Zambia because of likely unrest.

Monsters and Critics: Zambian media curtailed as China's Hu flies in

[Zambian] Information Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Nyirenda also said journalists would also not be allowed to ask Hu any questions, in order to 'avoid overcrowding' him.

Nyirenda denied any gagging of the media. Observers said the measures were seen as exerted pressure by Chinese officials in view of Zambian media interest particularly in human rights.

Patriotic Front President Michael Sata and his officials have also been denied invitations to events following their criticism of the Chinese presence in Zambia, repeatedly accusing the Chinese of trade exploitation.

Stuff (New Zealand): China opens its market to Zambia exports

China has offered Zambia tariff-free market access for its products and will allow its citizens to borrow investment capital from the Bank of China, finance minister Ng'andu Magande said.

Magande also said Chinese firms had started feasibility studies on how $US800 ($NZ1188.70) million in investments pledged by Beijing would be spent. Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa announced the cash pledge on Saturday after talks with China's Hu Jintao, who is on a three-day state visit.

"It is exciting that China has opened up its market to 452 Zambian products from the previous 192 products, and the best thing is that Zambians can now borrow money from the Bank of China to manufacture goods required to export to that market," Magande said in an interview.

Sudan

Wilmington Star: China's Hu urges Sudan to step up peace effort

Khartoum, Sudan | Chinese President Hu Jintao urged Sudan's Omar al-Bashir on Friday to work harder to bring more Darfur rebels into the peace process, a Sudanese official told The Associated Press.

Hu raised the issue at a closed-door meeting during the Chinese leader's landmark visit, the first ever by a Chinese president.

Saylac.com (Somalia News): China must emulate AU wisdom in Sudan

The African Union rejects the Sudanese president for its revolving chair, avoiding absurdity, and now it is up to China to pressure Khartoum, despite its interests in Sudan.

Global Voices: Sudan: The Chinese Are Coming And Losing AU Chair

Namibia

Playfuls.com: China Pledges 100 Million Dollars To Help Namibian Economy

China pledged 100 million US dollars towards economic development in Namibia, Namibian Finance Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila announced Monday during Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the remote southern African country.

The funds would cover import-export development, grants and training, the minister said. It was not clear how the 100 million dollars would be apportioned between loans and grants.

Chinese President Hu was met on arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport by President Hifikepunye Pohamba. The two later led talks between their delegations at Safari Hotel Conference Centre in the capital Windhoek.