China has opened up new economic, diplomatic and strategic avenues for African states, but it is ultimately down to Africans, both the people in power and the man on the street, to negotiate on their own terms, identify priorities, and leverage opportunities to further their own interests.
Africa’s most important football tournament - the Cup of Nations - is about to begin in Equatorial Guinea.
The West African country is co-hosting the event with its neighbour Gabon.
It is the first time either country has staged the competition.
The BBC’s Alex Capstick reports from Bata, where Equatorial Guinea will face Libya in the opening match.
The plan, called Countdown to Zero, was developed by a team led by UNAids and the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
