A noted economist says China's rapid economic development benefits Africa by creating robust markets for the continent's minerals exports, making direct investments in mining operations and providing economic policy regarding growth.

The statement was made by Jack Jones, executive director for CIBC World Markets based in Britain, while addressing 2,000 specialists, investors and high-ranking government officials at the three-day Investing in African Mining Conference, which opened in South Africa's coastal city of Cape Town.

(CRI February 11, 2004)