Chinese media are focusing on U.S.-Africa relations as the three-day U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit continues in Washington, D.C. — its goal, to strengthen U.S. trade and investment ties with the continent.

The summit, which started Monday, includes 50 African leaders. The U.S. is expected to announce nearly $1 billion in business deals and will also increase funds for aid and peacekeeping.

Chinese news website The Observer said that the U.S. is criticizing Beijing for investing in the continent while trying to expand its influence in Africa, BBCNews reports.

Supporting the view, the Liberation Daily said the U.S. is rushing to sign major contracts with African countries for fear of losing out to China.

The Sina website said U.S. President Barack Obama has “started to change his parenting and lecturing style” when dealing with Africa and is now focusing on trade and investment instead.

“To some extent, the U.S. has been forced to adopt a new direction,” according to comments on the Chinese government-run China News website, BBCNews reports. “China has helped to rewrite the rules of the game. It has been pursuing the market and resources in a positive manner and has given out loans and assistance to African countries without preconditions.”

The Chinese government has made a good impression on African leaders, Sina said.

“We can see that Chinese affairs are occupying a very important place in the mind of the current U.S. president. Mr Obama has spent more time and energy dealing with China’s affairs than any of his predecessors.”