China's influence in Africa includes church construction

Nairobi, Kenya, September 13 (ENInews)--At Holy Family Roman Catholic
Basilica in Nairobi, African workers were recently singing lively Christian
worship songs as they broke ground for the construction of a new office block
for the Nairobi Archdiocese. 

However, they were not working for an African or British construction
company. China Zhongxing Construction is building Maurice Cardinal Otunga
Plaza, one of many church contracts Chinese construction companies have won in
recent years as China has expanded its influence in Africa. Now, Chinese
firms build many bridges, roads and stadiums across the continent. 

"We have worked with them before and we have had a very good experience
with them," the Rev. Anthony Mwituria, who oversees construction in the
archdiocese, said in an interview. "We issued a tender and they came with the
best deal." Church officials say the companies are reliable, quick and
efficient.