Trade and partnership deals between African countries and China have been steadily increasing in recent years. This summer saw the completion of Morocco's Mohammed VI Bridge, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.xinhuanet.com%2Fenglish%2F2016-07%2F08%2Fc_135496809.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">a $72m project</a> built by Chinese development group Cover-Mbec.
Bridging cultures —
Trade and partnership deals between African countries and China have been steadily increasing in recent years. This summer saw the completion of Morocco's Mohammed VI Bridge, a $72m project built by Chinese development group Cover-Mbec.
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Chinese investment is the leading source of <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bakermckenzie.com%2Fnews%2FChina-is-poised-to-remain-the-biggest-funding-source-for-Africas-infrastructure-projects-01-28-2016%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">infrastructure spending</a> in Africa. Nigeria accounts for the most umbrella imports, with trade worth $39 million in 2014.
Whatever the weather —
Chinese investment is the leading source of infrastructure spending in Africa. Nigeria accounts for the most umbrella imports, with trade worth $39 million in 2014.
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Trade has become increasingly diverse, as typified by <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.nationalgeographic.com%2F2016%2F01%2F160101-zimbabwe-elephants-china-export-zoos-conservation-jane-goodall%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">recent deals</a> to export elephants from Zimbabwe to China. President Robert Mugabe's government sold 24 elephants to Chinese zoos in 2015, and despite protests from animal welfare groups, the figure will climb again this year.
Access all areas —
Trade has become increasingly diverse, as typified by recent deals to export elephants from Zimbabwe to China. President Robert Mugabe's government sold 24 elephants to Chinese zoos in 2015, and despite protests from animal welfare groups, the figure will climb again this year.
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In addition to elephants, Zimbabwe also exports vast quantities of raw tobacco to China. Sales reached a new peak of $575 million in 2014. In return, China supplies Zimbabwe with telephone equipment worth over $50 million, and a range of construction equipment.
Cost of smoking —
In addition to elephants, Zimbabwe also exports vast quantities of raw tobacco to China. Sales reached a new peak of $575 million in 2014. In return, China supplies Zimbabwe with telephone equipment worth over $50 million, and a range of construction equipment.
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Benin is the leading importer of wigs in Africa, spending $411 million in 2014 on Chinese-made fake hair. The tiny state was also by far the continent's largest buyer of cotton from China, worth $852 million.
Ben-in disguise —
Benin is the leading importer of wigs in Africa, spending $411 million in 2014 on Chinese-made fake hair. The tiny state was also by far the continent's largest buyer of cotton from China, worth $852 million.
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Morocco supported one of the country's most popular habits with tea imports from China worth $211 million in 2014, the most of any African state.
Exotic taste —
Morocco supported one of the country's most popular habits with tea imports from China worth $211 million in 2014, the most of any African state.
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Ethiopia supplied its booming construction industry by importing railway track materials worth $60 million in 2014, the highest spend in Africa.
Right track —
Ethiopia supplied its booming construction industry by importing railway track materials worth $60 million in 2014, the highest spend in Africa.
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South Africa was the leading importer of bicycles in 2014, with trade valued at $23 million. Libya followed close behind with $11 million worth of Chinese bikes.
Wealth kick —
South Africa was the leading importer of bicycles in 2014, with trade valued at $23 million. Libya followed close behind with $11 million worth of Chinese bikes.
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Liberia imported ships worth a continent-high $833 million in 2014, in most cases through the famous port of Monrovia.
Going overboard —
Liberia imported ships worth a continent-high $833 million in 2014, in most cases through the famous port of Monrovia.
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China's scarves have found their largest African market in Egypt, which imported supplies worth $45 million in 2014. The nations also have a healthy exchange of carpets, with multi-million dollar supplies traveling in both directions.
Total coverage —
China's scarves have found their largest African market in Egypt, which imported supplies worth $45 million in 2014. The nations also have a healthy exchange of carpets, with multi-million dollar supplies traveling in both directions.
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A recent report from the Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town documented increased Chinese investment in real estate in South Africa and Mauritius, worth <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ccs.org.za%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F02%2FCCS_Research-Report_Chinese_Presence_South-Africa_Mauritius_Honita_Cowaloosur_2016.pdf" target="_blank" target="_blank">around $740 million</a> in the island state since 2005.
Holiday homes —
A recent report from the Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town documented increased Chinese investment in real estate in South Africa and Mauritius, worth around $740 million in the island state since 2005.
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China has also invested heavily in cultural projects across Africa. Theaters have been a priority area, including Senegal's new 1800-seat Grand National in Dakar (pictured), largely funded through Chinese aid.
Curtain call —
China has also invested heavily in cultural projects across Africa. Theaters have been a priority area, including Senegal's new 1800-seat Grand National in Dakar (pictured), largely funded through Chinese aid.
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'Stadium diplomacy' has been another feature of Chinese investment, with new arenas in Cameroon, Ghana, and Angola's November 11 stadium in Luanda (pictured).
Stadium diplomacy —
'Stadium diplomacy' has been another feature of Chinese investment, with new arenas in Cameroon, Ghana, and Angola's November 11 stadium in Luanda (pictured).
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Dozens of African hospitals have been built with Chinese funds in recent years. President Xi Jinping inaugurated this hospital and a new university library in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, in 2013.
Medical aid —
Dozens of African hospitals have been built with Chinese funds in recent years. President Xi Jinping inaugurated this hospital and a new university library in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, in 2013.
GUY-GERVAIS KITINA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was built with $200 million of Chinese state funds.
Strength in unity —
The headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was built with $200 million of Chinese state funds.
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China's largest commitments in Africa are to infrastructure projects, such as Nigeria's $8.3 billion Lagos-Kano rail line, largely funded through Chinese loans.
Transport upgrades —
China's largest commitments in Africa are to infrastructure projects, such as Nigeria's $8.3 billion Lagos-Kano rail line, largely funded through Chinese loans.
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Ghana has been able to mitigate electricity shortages through the Bui Dam on its Western border, which incorporates a 400-megawatt hydropower plant. The $600 million project was constructed by the Sino Hydro company, supported by Chinese state loans.
Turning the tide —
Ghana has been able to mitigate electricity shortages through the Bui Dam on its Western border, which incorporates a 400-megawatt hydropower plant. The $600 million project was constructed by the Sino Hydro company, supported by Chinese state loans.
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China has supplied credit worth over $2 billion to an oil refinery project in Angola, although this has been hit with delays.
Fueling development —
China has supplied credit worth over $2 billion to an oil refinery project in Angola, although this has been hit with delays.
MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The 50-kilometer, eight-lane Thika superhighway was built by Chinese state-owned construction firm Wu Yi in 2012, and supported with Chinese funding.
Road less traveled —
The 50-kilometer, eight-lane Thika superhighway was built by Chinese state-owned construction firm Wu Yi in 2012, and supported with Chinese funding.
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