There is actually enough space for both China and the United States in Africa at the ground level, said Asoka Ranaweera, managing partner of Grid2Grid, a Washington DC-based company that advises on how to structure investments and develop projects in Africa.

China-US cooperation in Africa is long overdue, he said, adding that it could have important implications for bilateral relations in other parts of the world.

More economic and trade cooperation should take place, apart from the current escort missions in the Gulf of Aden, he said.

"One idea for cooperation might involve US agricultural experts teaming up with scientists and researchers from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences to find ways in which to help African farmers become more productive," he said.

"China did wonders for its agriculture by being so productive from very little arable land. US farmers, on the other hand, are experts in industrial farming.

"The fact of the matter is, no matter how we look at it, by and large Africa's rise in the last decade has come about in great part because of China's involvement," he said.

"China has been the single largest factor behind the emergence of Africa. Rather than hindering progress, as Americans we should be encouraging it."

He said that many Westerners focus too much on Africa's problems.

"They never saw the economic and trade potential of Africa," he said. Once Sino-African trade soared, "There was a sudden realization that Africa had economic potential, too."

(China Daily 03/30/2013 page7)