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International

China Invests in Africa's Natural Wealth

In Kinshasa, Congolese traders sell brightly printed cloth popular throughout west and central Africa. Cheaper Chinese textiles have muscled in on what used to be a flourishing local industry. "That's free markets for you," says Henriqueta Salvador (center) . "People complain that it's poor quality, but if you know how to take care of this Chinese fabric, it lasts a long time."
In Kinshasa, Congolese traders sell brightly printed cloth popular throughout west and central Africa. Cheaper Chinese textiles have muscled in on what used to be a flourishing local industry. "That's free markets for you," says Henriqueta Salvador (center) . "People complain that it's poor quality, but if you know how to take care of this Chinese fabric, it lasts a long time."

Copyright 2006 NPR