That "China and African states will develop new strategic cooperation" was the clear message that emerged from the China-Africa forum held in Cairo from 18-19 October 2008. During the forum both sides agreed to extend their political interaction and improve the relationship in different spheres. The Chinese side pledged to stimulate investments to Africa in order to make a contribution to economic and social development of African states. Beijing has, in fact, been particularly active in its relations with African states in political, economic,, trade, investment, humanitarian, and cultural spheres. In 2007, China replaced the UK to become the third largest (after the US and France) of Africa's trade partners. Concrete political and economic interests are the basis of Beijing's interest in this region.

First and foremost is the interest in the continent's energy resources. Therefore, Beijing's key concentrations are on the oil-rich African states like Angola, Sudan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Algeria and Chad. China considers Africa as an alternative source of energy supply. Today, 25 per cent of China's imported oil comes from Africa. The biggest among Chinese African oil supplier is Angola, which accounts for 16 per cent of all China's oil needs. In 2006, Angola took the first place among China's foreign oil suppliers replacing Saudi Arabia.

Another large African oil resource for China is Sudan, which at the same time due to the Darfur crisis is where Beijing's and Washington's interests clash. Sudan's oil reserves are estimated at about 1.6 billion barrels. China's oil corporation CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation) imports two-thirds of all imported oil from Sudan. At the same time another leading Chinese oil corporation Sinopec (China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation) is constructing 1,500km-long pipeline to the seaport of Red Sea, where a tanker terminal is being built. Beijing's support for the Sudanese regime and active collaboration in solving Darfur issue shows the significance of energy interests for China in this country.

Apart from direct oil supplies, CNPC and Sinopec are actively involved in joint explorations of oil and gas fields in African states. Chinese investments are directed toward the projects on constructing relevant infrastructure such as pipelines, tanker terminals in seaports, and petroleum refineries. In Sudan's oil and gas sector alone, China has invested US$8 billion and in 2006, US$2.3 billions in Nigeria's oil industry, 45 per cent of which was spent on local oil engineering.

China is also involved in privatization and international trade development in Africa. Chinese companies consider African states as potential markets for their general-use products. Strong growth of trade turnover between China and African states testify to this. If in 2000, according to Chinese statistic source, the commodity circulation between China and Africa was estimated at about US$10 billion; it rose in 2006 to US$55 billions. In the first half of 2008, China-Africa trade had already reached US$37 billions, which is 25 per cent more than the same period over the previous year.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, China has lent African states financial support for more than 800 projects over the last 50 years. Since 2000, Chinese enterprises have built in Africa more than 6,000 km highways, more than 3,000km of railway, and eight power plants. In 2006, China allocated more than US$8 billion preferential and interest free credits or non-repayable subsidies for the needs only of Nigeria, Angola, and Mozambique (by comparison the World Bank allocated only US$2.3 billion for all sub-Saharan states). For the next three years, Chinese government is planning to invest US$20 billions for the development of infrastructure and trade in Africa.

It should also be noted, that according to the US Congressional Research Service, from 1999-2003 China ranked fifth among the world's arms outfitters to African states. Alongside strengthening its political and economic positions in Africa, China is actively increasing its "soft power" by rendering humanitarian and technical assistance, allocating educational grants, organizing advanced trainings courses for African workers and employees. In the cultural sphere for instance, Chinese government is establishing Confucius Institutes on the continent, the core aim of which is to promote Chinese culture and language.

Many experts noted that the ambitious plans of Beijing for Africa are a serious challenge for the West, first of all for the United States. Today, USA relies for 15 per cent of its total oil needs from Africa. Remarkably, in order to get secure oil supplies from Africa, the US government in addition to developing economic relations with African states is actively involved in the process of providing security for the whole continent by promoting the ideas of democratic ideas and human rights. China, however, is developing its relations with the continent using a non-ideological approach and non-interference. This contributes to China's image as a convenient and attractive partner.

To sum up, it can be concluded that Chinese interest in Africa has a long-term strategic feature making this region a priority for Beijing's foreign policy. Therefore, it can be assumed that Chinese penetration and influence in African states will increase and will seriously challenge traditional players on the continent.