New Chinese foreign minister heads to Africa for first trip

The brand new international minister’s go to follows within the footsteps of his predecessors during the last three many years.

The brand new international minister is following within the footsteps of his predecessors, who've for greater than 30 years began every year with a visit to Africa [File: Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP]

China’s new international minister Qin Gang is beginning his time period with a weeklong journey to 5 African international locations, its international ministry introduced.

Qin, who till just lately was ambassador to the USA, will go to Ethiopia, Gabon, Angola, Benin and Egypt from January 9 to 16, spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated at a day by day media briefing on Monday.

In Egypt, Qin may even meet the secretary-general of the Arab League.

The brand new international minister is following within the footsteps of his predecessors, who've for greater than 30 years began every year with a visit to Africa.

“It reveals that China attaches nice significance to the standard friendship with Africa and the event of China-Africa relations,” Wang stated.

Qin, 56, was appointed international minister on December 30. He succeeded Wang Yi, 69, who has changed Yang Jiechi as the federal government’s prime international coverage official.

Some commentators have known as the China-Africa cooperation a symbiotic relationship from which each events stand to achieve. However there have additionally been controversies a few perceived “debt entice” and China’s “palace diplomacy” – funding large infrastructure tasks for African governments to safe affect inside their ranks.

And as the USA and France look to rebuild relationships with Africa simply as Russia’s sphere of affect is widening, China has been strengthening its footing on the continent.

The strikes show the elevated have to woo Africa at a time of rising international stress and a possible “new Chilly Battle”, stated Stephen Chan, a professor of world politics on the College of London’s Faculty of Oriental and African Research (SOAS).

“France, Russia, the US and China are all courting African international locations – each for diplomatic help in organs just like the UN, but additionally as financial and political allies and companions,” he advised Al Jazeera.