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08/31/2007: "Why China is colonizing Africa (again)"

collection of robber barons, imperialist ideologues, explorers, rogues and adventurers - the likes of Cecil Rhodes and the appalling Leopold II, King of the Belgians - carved up the continent in the name of five European powers.

Today, few appear to have noticed that a second "scramble for Africa" is under way. This time, only one giant country is involved, but its ambitions are every bit as momentous as those of Rhodes and company. With every day that passes, China's economic tentacles extend deeper into Africa. While Europe sought direct political control, China is acquiring a vast and informal economic empire.

[ As any student of history knows, this happened once before -- maybe 3,000 to 5,000 years ago. ]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2007/08/31/do3102.xml