The results of an opinion survey by Afrobarometer indicate that 63 percent of Africans consider Chinese influence on their countries to be “somewhat positive” or “very positive”, the survey report says.

Afrobarometer says the results are based on interviews with about 54,000 citizens of 36 African countries, including Cape Verde and Mozambique, but excluding Angola and Guinea-Bissau.

The results indicate that 24 percent of Africans prefer China as a model for national development. Another 30 percent prefer the United States as a model. Africans consider China the second-greatest external influence on their countries after the respective former colonial powers.

In the opinion of 56 percent of Africans, Chinese development assistance does a “somewhat good” or a “very good” job of meeting their country’s needs.

“The most important factors contributing to a positive image of China in Africa are its infrastructure/development and business investments and the cost of its products, according to survey respondents,” the survey report says.

Chinese influence on Cape Verde is considered “somewhat good” or “very good” by 78 percent of Cape Verdeans, and Chinese influence on Mozambique is considered “somewhat good” or “very good” by 65 percent of Mozambicans, Afrobarometer says.