Beijing and Africa's development models

It is certainly not news that China is seeing Africa, and particularly South Africa, as important trading partners.  What is not often mentioned is how this relationship will affect philosophies and theories on economic development and the role of the state. 

Dr Martyn Davies in a recent article 'Beijing's friendship puts SA in key commercial spot' published in Business Report does mention that this will also influence how we may think about development trajectories: a change from a "western model" based on the role of the state in the economy, ownership of the banking sector and a political system based on democracy. 

Development models in Africa are in flux. Watch the space.