Chinese business in Africa breaking free of Beijing

Chinese businesses are enjoying increased autonomy and economic freedom to invest in Africa, analysts say, challenging diplomatic perceptions that Beijing is playing puppet master on the continent.
With China's role in Africa the subject of considerable tension with the United States, the reality, according to financial experts, is that the sheer scale of Chinese interests makes overarching control impossible.
"To assume that everyone in Beijing is on the same page is incorrect," said Martyn Davies, chief executive of Frontier Advisory in Johannesburg, an investment firm specialising in emerging markets.
"That somehow there's this grand strategic plan and everyone is directed like pieces on a chessboard, as is often characterised, is not entirely the case."