Other Chinese SOEs have also been expanding and making more direct investments in Africa.

Left: A construction site of China Road & Bridge Corporation in Nairobi. Right: The first electric train exported to Africa came off the production line at China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co last month. Ding Haitao / Xinhua

China Jiangxi Corp for International Economic & Technical Cooperation is another Chinese SOE that is seeking to diversify its international operations by investing more in building materials and solar-power industries.

The company has established production plants and construction bases in several African countries, says General Manager Xu Guojian. China Jiangxi has invested more than $6 million in overseas projects, such as metal factories and asphalt-mixing plants, in Botswana, Zambia and Ghana.

"These factories (in Africa) have ensured that we have adequate supplies of construction materials and also lowered total construction costs," Xu says.

Chi Jianxin, president of the China-Africa Development Fund, an investment fund focused on Africa, says that SOEs have played a big role in bilateral cooperation with Africa and in sustainable development. Investing in Africa, according to Chi, is also an avenue for Chinese companies to showcase their technology prowess, management skills and expertise in handling complex projects.

According to a report published by global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, China has become the world's third-largest country undertaking mergers and acquisitions in Africa, especially in the oil and gas sector. China has so far conducted 49 M&A deals totaling $20.8 billion in Africa since 2003, following the United Kingdom with $30.5 billion and France with $30.47 billion.

"China will spare no effort to promote the international competitiveness of SOEs. In addition, the government is keen to see that the SOEs withdraw from low-end industrial chains and focus more on the developing and premium overseas markets," Liu from SASAC says.

In addition, Africa is estimated to become China's largest trade partner within the next three to five years. Trade between China and Africa is expected to jump by 20 percent this year, while investment will grow at an even faster pace, according to Wei Jianguo, secretary-general of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, a government think tank.

Last year, China's trade with Africa reached $200 billion, with Chinese exports increasing 16.7 percent year-on-year to $85.3 billion, while imports grew 21.4 percent to $113.1 billion.

Boosted by its fast economic growth, Africa's demand for Chinese products has also been booming. China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co Ltd, one of the country's two leading train manufacturers, is speeding up work on producing and exporting $400 million worth of electric locomotives to South African Transnet SOC Ltd, a large rail, port and pipeline company in that country.

The deal also marks the first time that Chinese electric trains have been introduced in the African market, and was the biggest order for equipment of this sort that a Chinese train maker has ever won in overseas markets.

"Considering this new opportunity in the African market, CSR will push forward its rail transportation equipment business and broaden its cooperation with other local companies in Africa," says Xu Zongxiang, general manager of CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co Ltd.

CSR officials indicated that apart from product exports, the first batch of which will be delivered by the end of this year, the company will also provide technology used in the manufacture of electric locomotives to South Africa. The promotion of technology in China's train-manufacturing industry has received a large amount of recognition internationally.

According to experts, although support from the government has helped Chinese SOEs in Africa, they will need to establish more successful local partnerships through M&A deals with African firms.

"We are looking for suitable M&A deals in Africa and other regions," says Li Jiqin from the CSCEC.

Protecting the environment is another area where Chinese SOEs are making a difference. China National Petroleum Corporation has built the world's largest biodegradable wastewater treatment facility in Sudan to eliminate the discharge of toxic effluents. This is another example of sustainable development, experts say.

The International Moneary Fund forecasts that, among the top 10 countries with the fastest growth in GDP from 2011 to 2015, seven will be in Africa. In 2011, the average growth of GDP in the continent was 5.4 percent. The figure was expected to reach 6.1 percent in 2012, the IMF report said.

During his visit to Africa earlier this year, President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China's commitment to broaden and expand its ties with Africa. With a prospering economy and new efforts made in seeking strength from unity, Africa has achieved growing international standing. At the same time it also faces many challenges, Xi said during his visit.

"I am confident that, so long as Africa maintains peace and stability, and actively explores a development path that suits its own conditions, it will undoubtedly embrace a brighter future," Xi said, adding that Sino-Africa ties have several opportunities for development.

Last year, Africa also emerged as a popular travel destination for Chinese tourists. According to the China National Tourism Administration, China has become South Africa's fourth-largest tourist source market. Experts estimate that the growing Chinese tourist numbers will give a boost to industrial development on the continent.

baochang@chinadaily.com.cn