Madam, - Mary Fitzgerald's report from Chad on Chinese policy in Africa was spot on (The Irish Times, November 10th). There is a new scramble for Africa - or rather, a scramble for the resources of Africa. This time the resources will be shipped to Beijing instead of Manchester. The cheap goods dumped in Africa will again stifle any local industry. Chinese investment in Africa, apart from the odd sports stadium and new "state house" is geared towards the extraction and shipping of these resources.
Africa needs enlightened long-term investment and good government if it is ever to pull itself out of its misery. China doesn't offer the first and is not interested in the second.- Yours, etc,
JOE MANNING, Sierra Leone Honourary Consul to Ireland, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow.