Author: Kent Butts, Brent Bankus.

China's economic growth has exceeded its domestic resource base and has made it dependent upon imports for critical • supplies of fuel and minerals. China's quest for resources is driving its significant presence in Africa. • A natural ally of African states as leader of the developing world, China is using debt forgiveness, development aid and • participation in African Peacekeeping Operations to gain influence and access to resources. It is unlikely that China's influence will exceed that of centuries old colonial economic and military ties.