Two events [recently] illustrated Beijing’s ambitions: collaboration with Africa and managing a potential rivalry with India on securing energy resources.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued policy paper on Africa in the run-up to minister Li Zhaoxing starting a five-nation tour of the continent. The paper states the government will “adopt more effective measures to facilitate African commodities’ access to the Chinese market.”

Markets, not Maoist Marxism, fuel the revolution in China today. Energy deals will be high on Li’s agenda, which takes him to Senegal, Cape Verde, Liberia, Mali and Nigeria. Earlier this week, China National Offshore Oil Corp. signed a $2 billion dollar deal to take a 45 percent stake in the Nigerian offshore Apko oil and gas field after the Indian government decided not to go ahead with its bid.

China and India are in similar positions: rapidly growing developing nations acutely aware of their need of secure diverse energy resources at affordable prices. After nearly a year of preparatory work, the two countries signed five memoranda of understanding to manage their mutual modes of competition and collaboration in the quest for energy security.

[India’s Energy Minister, Aiyar said] “This is economics in the 21st century where players have learned that cooperation can render even greater benefits than mindless competition.”

This will probably get China and India included as a new Axis of Evil.