2.1. IntroductionThe expansion of China's interests in Africa has grown especially after 2000. China is considered Africa's second largest bilateral partner, ahead of the United Kingdom and France. China's driving force in Africa is primarily the need to protect natural resources and expand its markets across the universe. This chapter will examine Africa-China relations in a historical perspective focusing on China's African policy, the China-Africa Corporation Forum and finally the political and economic implications it could have on development.2.2. China's African Policy China's post-Mao policies are primarily directed toward unwritten principles that include agreements between the state and the people that have the underlying belief that if economic fortunes are given priority, people will not compete for power ( Breslin, 2005). China's foreign policy towards Africa focuses on building relationships with the South in the name of development to expand stature and recognition in international relations. Africa has been a major agenda item in China. This is because relations with Africa have a broad framework that extends to state, provincial and municipal levels. Politically, Africa has played an important role since the 1950s, helping China emerge from the reflection of the Soviet Union and as Chinese diplomacy grew out of the Korean War. During early China-Africa interactions, it mainly revolved around China's support for liberation movements; this will be discussed in more detail in Chapter 3. In the 1970s, China had more projects in Africa than in the United States. However, at a certain point it became clear that China did not want any relationship with Africa. This is because Africa has not added any value to their modernization strategy. their close engagement with Africa implies a similar history where the West has suppressed their economies, so there are no conflicts, instead they have the same interests (Qiaun, 2005). Paradoxically, as China increasingly integrates into the world economy and plays by the rules of the West represented by their entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), they have also established close political and economic relations with African countries. These relationships will be useful when the West tries to threaten internal interests, it is a defense mechanism. The idea that China seeks to restore its rightful place in the global economy and to be a leader of developing countries is seen by many as a means of influencing politics (Breslin, 2005, p..190).