China and Africa is a current hot topic. The Love Affair is a strong enthusiasm which has seen an interest and eagerness by the Chinese to engage in Africa. Chinese engagement in Africa has raised various concerns. Although these concerns are real, it seems much of the debate does not take into adequate (sometimes no) account of the historical relations between Africa and China. Indeed one would be forgiven to think that China and Africa started their relations in the 1990s. But this is not the case. Already back in 1957, for example, the Chinese were making large cotton purchases from Egypt....