I agree with many of the posts made earlier today. I would suggest a somewhat different approach than "soft power," however. For example, see my SSI monograph on PRC influence in Africa here:

http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute....cfm?pubID=766

Tom Odom is absolutely correct: Communist China has been on the African continent for decades (since 1955, in fact). My PhD dissertation focused on PRC influence in Africa from 1955 to 1976; I hope to publish it in book format in the future.

The quantity of PRC activities may, in fact, be greater in recent years; but the quality and intent remains the same.