FOREIGN Minister Tang Jiaxuan left for a five-nation tour of Africa yesterday aimed at boosting ties and countering the chequebook diplomacy of rival Taiwan.
Mr Tang will kick off the visit with talks in Egypt and Kenya, both close Beijing allies on the issues of Taiwan and human rights.
He will then tour Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia before visiting France.
'These particular destinations were chosen as China's first diplomatic activity in the new year to demonstrate the great importance the country places on Sino-African relations,' Xinhua reported.
Beijing was determined to boost relations with African nations to counteract Taiwan's diplomatic efforts in the region, a Foreign Ministry official said.
Niger, Burkina Faso, Gambia and Senegal have all 'defected', the official said.
Foreign Ministry officials are also keen to reiterate their commitment to Third World brotherhood, even though developing countries are anxious as China moves to build closer ties with developed nations.
