China-Guinea deal highlights Africa business ties

BEIJING (AP) -- A $7 billion mining deal between Guinea's repressive military regime and a little-known Chinese company underscores China's full-throttle rush into Africa and its willingness to deal with brutal and corrupt governments. The deal announced last week by the West African country's military junta offers the company, China International Fund, access to Guinea's bauxite and other minerals and could provide major revenues to a government facing international isolation. Guinea's soldiers opened fire on demonstrators late last month, killing up to 157, and raped women in public. Human rights groups decried the pact. China's government has declined to confirm it or answer related questions, and the company also refused to comment. In many ways, the Guinea deal reflects established Chinese business practices in Africa,... [read full story]                    

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