Sino-African cooperation to grow

Standard Bank predicts relationship will become closer over this decade

Standard Bank Group Ltd, Africa's biggest lender by assets, said on Thursday that China and Africa will experience a "honeymoon" period during the next 10 years in terms of investment, and their areas of cooperation will be extended.

"From my perspective I see Sino-African cooperation moving beyond political expediency to a point where it will be driven by 'Africa needing China and China needing Africa' - a good basis on which to build trust and expand cooperation," said Craig Bond, chief executive of the bank's operations in China.