They're after raw materials, mineral mines etc. Perhaps even undiscovered gold and diamonds, along with military/political Satrapies.
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Fair enough.
But a reflection from Man's most profound teacher, History.
Two Empires wrote the Rule Book about sustainable
conquest; Imperial Rome and Great Britain.
For both, the question had to be asked/answered before
conquest was attempted; namely how does a conqueror
impose its will on a conquered people, allowing it to exploit
their land/resources?
For Rome it was largely the Sword while for Britain it was
transferred Values.
Doubt the Chinese ever heard the question much less tried
to answer it. As such, their African venture is a Fools Errand!
A lesson from History:
In the 15th century the Spanish Hapsburg's went across the Oceans,
establishing a realm that stretched from California, Colorado and Utah,
down thru Mexico, into Colombia, Venezuela and terminated at the tip
of Argentina and Chile.
They loaded hundreds of ships w/ Gold, Silver, Emeralds and Rubies,
hauling it back to Spain and within 250 years their Empire had ceased
to exist while their New World legacy had evaporated.
Memo to the Chinese, a very arrogant culture:
"Those who ignore history are condemned to repeat it."
