Combining comprehensive historical perspectives with local in-depth investigative journalism, the book focuses on Beijing's much talked-about (and often criticized) expansion in the “dark continent.” China's operations mark a distinct departure from past colonial rule — Michel and Beuret are the first to point out the transition of allies in Sub-Saharan countries' from Françafrique to Chinafrique — and modern humanitarian aid efforts alike. So what makes this international relationship so different in the eyes of Africans? Quoting Claude Alphonse N'Silou, the minister of construction and housing of Brazzaville, Congo: “The Chinese build things and the Europeans don't.”

Currently, of the over 750,000 Chinese residents on African soil, a good percentage are government-deployed workers assigned, for roughly US$500 a month, to erect factories and buildings, lay locomotive railroads and water pipelines as well as construct hydroelectric dams and other basic infrastructure. The locally employed workers are paid even less, approximately US$4 per day. To find out exactly what life is like for the Chinese diaspora of Africa, China Safari stumbles upon worker inequality, xenophobia and dangerous working environments amidst Chinese President Hu Jintao's declaration of friendship, equality and peaceful coexistence with the African nations.

In the sunny safari, Chinese workers toil 24/7. They nonchalantly dig around landmines, acquiescent in the fact that their deaths will result in hefty compensations for their families, who they see once every two years. They are forbidden to touch African women — such conduct will result in immediate firings and deportation — and there are apparently not enough Chinese prostitutes to go around. Kidnappings and deaths by bands of rebels are everyday realities. Acrimonious sentiments abound as the Chinese are labeled inhumane in their treatment of local workers and domestic dogs while Africans are seen as “lazy.”

To these stories, Michel and Beuret captured the Chinese government's stoic response; as each meeting with Chinese officials or high-level businessmen either end in canned responses or eerie, dial-tone silence, the authors resort to an explanation of fictional mafia head, Michael Corleone: “The Chinese involvement wasn't personal; it was strictly business.”

Sales of armament and the increasing Chinese dominion in the African market were also spotlighted. While the west riles against the implicit Chinese support of corrupt African regimes (China sold Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe US$240 million worth of weapons in 2004), the book notes that rebel groups have also benefited from Chinese imports of small arms and vehicles. Sure, their motivations could be war profiteering and exchanges that enable greater access to Africa's natural resources, yet the authors bring up a good point for the criticism on the part of Western nations: Pure competition. China's foothold as Africa's second largest business partner, edging out France and coming up close to the United States, has given many countries a reason to protest.

The sense of “why didn't we think of this first?” was never more apparent when it came to the Chinese industrialization of locations where they can also simultaneously drill for oil or mine for uranium. The American Enterprise Institute, for one, believed that the west, by placing humanitarian issues over business interests, has harmed and belittled Africa by viewing it as countries fit only for handouts. Where Americans saw AIDS and poverty, the Chinese saw opportunities, and the old strategy of control through foreign aid had ceased to be effective. The authors do conclude that much can be learned from China.

Whether the return for their industrial efforts was for economic or political purposes (severing diplomatic relationship with Taiwan in the cases of Chad and Senegal), it is clear that China is the only country with the ability and human resources to provide for Africa in the present manner. It is near impossible for a democratic country to compete with the unilateral decision-making process of a government that can swiftly dole out billions of dollars in aid without answering to the taxpayer.

Yet in spite of the double-edged sword of the situation, the authors never fail to point out that Africa has positively benefited and now stands a chance with China against the hegemony of western nations. A tantalizing analysis of the world's most dynamic geopolitical relationship, China Safari shows a shift in the global stage that alters the home of the “Heart of Darkness” as the world knows it.