The Chinese have been surveying parts of Africa for the last 2 decades as well as sending thousands of teachers and doctors. China is getting too expensive I assume but they need a somewhat educated and healthy population to continue their production schedules.
I have heard similar things and the Chinese are changing as they want more, like everyone else now.
about 15 years ago I heard that if everyone in China who could drive had a car, they would need a car park the size of France.