Upper end

But not all the Africans in Guangzhou are struggling to make ends meet and looking over their shoulders at the long arm of the law.

Stanley (39) from Ghana has been in China for four years and is well-established. The former semi-pro football player was initially issued a one-year business visa but now, due to the ongoing restrictions he gets a six-month visa, which he keeps renewing.

Stanley, who speaks fluent Cantonese, lives in the middle-class Wonderland residential complex in Huangqi, a 40-minute drive from downtown. The complex has a Mediterranean atmosphere. Stanley is also in the garment export business and he has his own company that employs five Chinese staff.

He is reluctant to talk about the immigration problems experienced by his African colleagues, but said all foreigners must abide by the rules of the country they live in. He also moved to a better area, as he doesn?t want to be associated with 'troublemakers'. Stanley is not the only African living in the complex.

Resident Song Wei (41) said she has a couple from Mali as her neighbours and apart from them sometimes "talking too loud", she has had no trouble. "In the beginning I was afraid as I had little experience of Africans but they keep to themselves and don't bother me," she said. Song said monthly rents in her block average $500 so the Chinese there all believe their African residents are "making good money in China".

Chinese connection

Chinese businesspeople that deal with Africans generally welcome their presence and business.

Emily Song (20) at Sedittymaterial Factory in the Tian Xu Plaza lamented that business was not good and has been on the decline throughout the year. She also said she has noticed an increase in police raids in the area, targeting Africans whose visas have expired, adding that Chinese were worried this would also negatively affect their business.

Together with her brother they have been operating for just under a year, selling lace and other fabric to African clientele. They came to Guangzhou from Sichuan Province after hearing about the many Africans here who buy materials in bulk.

Sitting surrounded by rolls of coloured fabric, Emily said she gets on well with her customers, although they do "talk too loud", adding that where Chinese tend to haggle more about the price, if Africans like something they buy it.

"They often ask me for dates, but while I have an African female friend, I prefer dating Chinese guys," she said.

Back Tian Qi Plaza, Jiang Shuhai (32), manager of Ri Du Foreign Trade Clothing, specialises in men's pants and suits. Her business card said she hopes her business relations with her customers will "last forever". That's a long time to do business.

Jiang said her African customers are very brand conscious and while regular customers were more understanding, the newcomers tended to be a bit brash.

Up the aisle at Longxin Electrical, Jack Li (28) said his biggest seller to African clients is refurbished laptops. He sells HP models for just over $200. "Africans make up their minds fast, not like Chinese. They're great," he laughed.

On page four: life on the colourful streets of Africatown.