Abstract
China, still considered itself a developing country, is becoming an increasingly important ‘new’ donor for many African countries. Its own model of foreign assistance, providing aid in the form of economic cooperation based on the achievement of mutual economic benefits and on the principle of non-interference in internal political questions of the host countries, has allowed a diffuse and rapid penetration. Furthermore, China has gained considerable room and influence in countries where traditional donors have reduced their commitments or have disengaged. After reviewing the major features of Chinese aid to Africa, focusing on economic cooperation projects, the paper empirically assesses the importance of Chinese aid activities, rapidly becoming the major source of external finance for a number of politically weak and fragile African countries.
