mali stats

The vast majority of the population of Mali is less than 20 years old. LESS THAN 20! The median age is like 16. The average life expectancy is a little more than 50 years. There're more than 6 babies born for every woman there. 43% of the men and 20% of the women are literate. The most recent estimate on unemployment there, from 2004, put the figure at 30%. 

apparently 30% of mali's trade is with china. what role's china playing there? or is it just handy dandy commerce?