Speaking to the Financial Times in an interview published Thursday, Mbeki, who is on a trip to London, welcomed the interest shown by Chinese companies in Africa as a new source of raw materials and energy.

At the same time, he voiced concern about the impact of cheap Chinese goods such as textiles on Africa's economy.

"It is clear that the Chinese will invest on the African continent in all sorts of ways -- in the first instance in raw materials, energy and other things," the South African leader said.

"They are making capital and expertise available for general infrastructure development. This co-operation results in our development. But there might be other elements that might have obverse results."

Mbeki said he expected Chinese firms to be keen to invest in South Africa, adding that both countries would talk to each other about possible areas of concern such as Chinese acquisitions in the mining or manufacturing sectors.

"I am sure that they would be interested in South African companies. I suspect that in the event that the South African government would say we do not believe this kind of action... it is in our interest, and it can only spoil relations, the Chinese would respond positively," he said.

China is looking increasingly to Africa as a source of mineral resources to help power its rapidly growing economy.

But concern has been raised by South African trade unions at the prospect of Chinese investment and trade competition, The Financial Times said.

Mbeki told the newspaper that such worries would best be addressed at a China-Africa forum, due to be held in November.

"It gives a possibility for the African continent and China to discuss and define the nature of the relationship," he said.

"There is a global problem with clothing and textiles -- and shoes -- which impacts on everybody."

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