Africa holds attractions for China leaders
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — There are many signs of China's booming relationship with Africa, from the soaring trade figures, including Beijing's burgeoning oil imports, to the Chinese-built stadiums, railways, power lines, dams and roads that are mushrooming across the continent.
But as Beijing hunts for the resources it needs to supply its seemingly insatiable economy, perhaps nothing conveys China's enthusiasm for Africa as much as the travel itineraries of Beijing's leaders. Last year, the Chinese president, premier and foreign minister all made trips to Africa, visiting 16 countries.
On Tuesday, President Hu Jintao left Beijing for a tour that will take him to eight African nations, including return visits by the Chinese leader to South Africa and Liberia.
"This is unprecedented. I can't think of any other head of state, including [South African President] Thabo Mbeki, who has visited as many African countries as that," said Martyn Davies, head of the Center for China Studies at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.
In November, China also was host to delegates from 48 African countries to the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in Beijing, promising to sharply increase assistance and offering $5 billion in loans and credits. In exchange, Beijing wants African nations to recognize the People's Republic of China rather than Taiwan, which it views as a rogue province.
"For not recognizing Taiwan, African countries can get government-supported foreign direct investment, aid and military assistance 'with no political strings attached.' Goodbye U.S. and Europe; Hello China!" analyst Mark Sorbara wrote last April in the Nation newspaper of Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.
Major oil supplier
Hu is expected to sign deals and assistance packages, mostly flowing out of the November conference, during a tour that is to end Feb. 10.
China's trade with Africa is still well behind that of the United States, which had $91 billion in bilateral trade with the continent last year. However, Chinese-African trade grew from about $3 billion in 1995 to $40 billion in 2005, and Beijing is aiming for $100 billion by 2010. Africa now supplies one-third of China's crude oil, according to Chinese officials quoted by the People's Daily.
