Critics of China in Africa are recycling Yellow-Peril myths

What are the Chinese up to in Africa? I have lost count of the number of times I have heard this question being asked.

A few weeks ago, a Europe-based relative who brings friends along each year when he is coming to spend some time at home, told me that one of the friends accompanying him this year was looking forward to discussing a number of topics, including what I thought China was up to in Africa.