Chinese Xi Begins his Long-African Journey
Chinese President Xi Jinping heads to Africa this week after a brief stop in the Persian Gulf.
Chinese President Xi Jinping heads to Africa this week after a brief stop in the Persian Gulf.
Beijing moves to further cement its role as one of the continent’s closest economic and diplomatic allies.
After a brief stop in the Persian Gulf Thursday, Xi’s itinerary — his first overseas trip since beginning his second term as leader — takes him to Senegal, Rwanda, South Africa and Mauritius, spanning almost every corner of Sub-Saharan Africa, where China’s economic clout, and strategic ambitions, are growing by the year. According to CNN.
China is Africa’s largest trading partner. According to provided statistics, bilateral trade reached a record-high of $220 billion in 2014.
Chinese leaders have always made a point of visiting African nations regularly and early during their time in power. When he assumed the presidency in 2013, Xi also chose Africa as part of his maiden journey abroad and went on to visit the continent two more times during his first term.
China’s interest in Africa isn’t just about trade, the continent also provides a large amount of raw materials.
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