[drop 50 and fire for effect]

I think that American companies cannot legally provide any money back to those making the decisions, in the countries.

I do not believe China has any such compunctions.

Not only do they not have any such compunctions, it is unspoken Chinese policy. In spite of a quasi-capitalist veneer, the Chinese Communist Party, to include the People's Liberation Army, is a significant investor in Africa.

They are after African natural resources and will willingly do anything short of starting a war to obtain them. While there have been some concerns about the long term effect of this, most Chinese decision makers could give a rat's rear end about Africa and Africans. They want resources, and they want them now.

[QBFimi]

>> American companies cannot legally provide any money back to those making the decisions ...

As a former “nonsked” (contract) pilot, I dealt at length with officials in both Darkest Africa and South of the Border Pedrolands.

I was much amused when my company - United Airlines - took over Eastern Airlines’ Central and South American routes in 1991. They were shocked! shocked! at the under the table $$s that had to be passed.