While some acknowledged their governments had failed to deliver promised democracy after colonialism, others were offended at the suggestion that authoritarian rule was acceptable.

"It is wrong for China to make that conclusion (on Kenya) because democracy is not meant for certain kinds of people," said Blessings Chinsinga, lecturer at the University of Malawi.

"Democracy is a universal concept based on certain values but the problem is that us as Africans choose to ignore these values of democracy when its our responsibility to do so."

Kenya's feuding parties prepared on Monday for fresh fighting in parliament and on the streets despite another international push to mediate a post-election crisis that has now killed at least 612 people since the December 27 election the opposition says was rigged.

The crisis has dented Kenya's democratic credentials and rattled Western donors, who have made veiled statements that if the crisis is not solved it can no longer conduct "business as usual" with Kenya.

China, eager for Africa's vast natural resources to feed its exploding economy, has kept a low profile over the Kenyan violence.

But on Monday the People's Daily, the official newspaper of China's ruling Communist Party, said Western powers were to blame for imposing colonial rule and then Western-style electoral democracy on Africa.

"The Western 'democracy' transplanted to Africa is unsuited to local conditions and has sowed the seeds of disaster," said a commentary in the paper.

"The election crisis in Kenya is just one typical example. In fact, many African countries' elections have sparked political turmoil."

"RACIST SPEECH"

Faysal Metaoui, an editorial writer for Algeria's independent El Watan daily, disagrees.

"This is a racist speech because it implies that Africans can only live under a dictatorship and not in a free democracy," he said.

"China has a robust economy, but it is not a model of democracy for Africa. Its record in terms of human rights, (and) press freedom are not an example to follow."

China's relentless investment offensive in Africa has been welcomed by impoverished countries. But it has drawn fire from Western nations and aid groups, who accuse Beijing of turning a blind eye to misrule, corruption and human rights abuses.

Beijing argues it is spreading prosperity in the world's poorest continent where the West has failed.

China's billions of dollars in investments in Africa were not enough to deflect criticism from people like Zambian taxi driver Jairus Mwenda, who accused Beijing of hypocrisy.

"I don't think China is saying the truth about Kenya's problems. I think democracy is better than the Chinese system of suppressing people. And well-organised democracies in Africa have showed us that," he said.

Lack of transparency from Beijing on details of its investments and aid in Africa has also alarmed Western donors. Some Africans say their own governments should be held accountable for their actions.

Malawi has cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan after 41 years and established links with China, Malawi's foreign affairs minister minister, Joyce Banda, said on Monday, adding that careful consideration had been given to benefits from China.