In recent years Africa has outstripped much of the world in growth.
Chinese companies should seize the chance in Africa
As African countries look for closer integration, building infrastructure is seen as pivotal, and China is playing a key role.
China has a key role to play in helping Africa expand its network of infrastructure that could serve the whole continent, says Elham Ibrahim, commissioner for infrastructure and energy of the African Union Commission.
Landlocked in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is severely hampered in its trade and business by a lack of transport links with other countries.
The increasing influence of African countries is testament to the continued growth of bilateral trade between China and Africa. In turn, this has prompted China to focus on the revival of the African economy, politics and people's livelihood.
Hand of help can be seen on the milestones of Africa's road to integration
China's emerging middle class is not just important to its own economy but is also a global phenomenon.
Sam Li, a senior manager with a US multinational company in Beijing, says the term middle class is a European and US concept that does not really apply in China.
In China, the arrival of the Lunar New Year is often associated with change, and as the nation prepares to usher in the Year of the Snake, Africa may well be the word Chinese exporters use most to describe trade prospects for the coming 12 months. Africa assumes such importance not only because of growing bilateral trade, but also because of continuing uncertainty about Chinese exports in developed markets.
More tough times seem to be in the offing for Chinese exporters associated with traditional manufacturing industries, as the uncertain global economic recovery has triggered increased risks like stiff competition in emerging markets and dwindling demand in developed markets.
Even as the Chinese government came out with a better-than-anticipated economic report card for 2012, several industry experts expressed concerns over the flagging performance of the country's key growth indicators.
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