Christopher Rhodes, a lecturer at Boston University's College of General Studies wrote in the UnHerd website: "Many local African churches have reached out to Chinese workers, including incorporating Mandarin into services.

"A number of Chinese, in turn, have welcomed the sense of community and belonging that these Christian churches offer."

 

There are an estimated one million Chinese citizens living and working in Africa.

Consulting firm McKinsey & Company's 2017 report 'How are Africa and China engaging, and how will the partnership evolve?' stated that China has become "Africa's largest economic partner".

The report also said there are roughly 10,000 Chinese-owned firms operating in Africa.

Rhodes claimed the interaction between the nations was also leading to people in China becoming Christians as well.

 

"Many of these Chinese workers are returning home, and they're bringing their newfound religion with them," he said.

"Visitors to the coastal province of Fujian, for example, now hear South African accented English and see houses adorned with crosses.

"African migrants are also moving to China in larger numbers, many of them practitioners of very evangelistic forms of Pentecostal Christianity who are willing to flout the rules placed on religious activity in China."

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The conversion of Chinese workers in African countries to Christianity is being attributed to African evangelical churches.