China’s economic and political presence in Africa "is growing". Peking’s government encourages the country’s companies, even by funding them, to invest in Africa; entire productive and energy industries of the African countries are under Chinese control, and the big Asian state "might become Africa’s greatest trade partner as early as 2010". That’s why the European Parliament makes an appeal to the Chinese authorities "to respect the principles of democracy, good governance and human rights in their relations with Africa". The position of the Assembly is voiced by the report of the Portuguese MEP Ana Gomes, approved in Strasbourg by the wide majority. China’s economic presence, according to the MEPs, has "a real, even political, impact" on the African countries. The report asks Peking not to support "repressive regimes", to provide "unconditional aids to sustainable development", to "improve transparency and the management of income from energy". In addition, it asks it to open its domestic market to African goods, especially farming produce, and to prevent "exports of Chinese goods to Africa hindering the development of the African industry".
