Bush says doesn't see China as competitor in Africa

President George W. Bush (L) walks with President of Ghana John Agyekum Kufuor during an arrival ceremony at Osu Castle in Accra, Ghana, February 20, 2008.

ACCRA (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Wednesday the United States and China could pursue opportunities in Africa without creating competition.

China has ramped up its investment across Africa in recent years in return for access to oil, metals and other raw materials to fuel its rapidly expanding economy.

"I don't view Africa as zero sum for China and the United States, I think we can pursue agendas without creating a great sense of competition," Bush said at a news conference with Ghana's President John Kufuor during an African tour.

"Do I view China as a fierce competitor on the continent of Africa? No I don't," Bush said.

Bush added: "First of all I just will tell you that our policy is aimed at helping people. Trade helps people."

Critics of China's investments say Beijing's policy of non-interference in its partners' internal affairs undermines efforts by international financial institutions and some Western donors to fight corruption and promote democracy in Africa.

China has poured large amounts of investment into resource-rich countries such as oil-exporting Angola and Sudan, both countries ravaged by long-running civil wars.

The United States says genocide is being perpetrated in Sudan's western Darfur region.

Beijing is preparing to pump $9 billion into the mines and infrastructure sector in Democratic Republic of Congo, regarded as a Western ally during the Cold War, and where both Western and Chinese companies are scaling up mining operations.

(Reporting by Tabassum Zakaria; Editing by Alistair Thomson and Ralph Boulton)