African finance officials have welcomed China's growing involvement in their continent, but with the caveat that Beijing not reprise old methods of colonial exploitation.

The comments came as the African Development Bank drew the curtains Thursday on its annual meeting, held for the first time in China — a potent symbol of the growing economic links between the industrial powerhouse and resource-rich continent.

Much of Africa's estimated 5.5 percent economic growth last year was attributed to China's near-insatiable demand for the continent's oil, gas, timber, copper and other natural resources.

Two-way trade soared 40 percent to US$55.5 billion last year, and Beijing says it believes that figure will rise to US$100 billion by 2020.

While meeting participants applauded the opportunity for growth in their nations, they called also on China, one of 24 non-African shareholders in the bank, to be mindful of local sensitivities and to help create sustainable development.

"We don't want a paternalistic arrangement where someone gives us scraps while he's taking the majority of the revenues," said Ng'andu Magande, finance minister of Zambia, where protests have erupted over poor working conditions and low pay at Chinese-run copper mines.