Looking to China for development support

Africa should pay close attention to the ongoing deliberations of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body, and the National People's Congress, the top legislature, according to a Kenyan academic.

Robert Obudho, a professor at the University of Nairobi's Urban and Regional Planning Department, said the two sessions are increasingly important for Africa, as China plays ever-greater political, social and cultural roles on the continent. "China has done a great job in supporting Africa to develop its infrastructure, which had long hampered the continent's economic growth," he said.

The professor predicted that environmental conservation, global security and China's growing international trade would likely top the agenda during this year's meetings. "As industrialization takes place, countries have to grapple with pollution concerns, and China is already facing this, thus it has ideas to share with other developing countries about sustainability," he said.