Each year, the Chinese foreign minister's first overseas trip is to Africa, to underline the bonds between Beijing and that continent. Li Zhaoxing continued the tradition this month, completing an eight-day tour of Africa in which he visited six countries.
The trip was especially meaningful this year, coinciding as it did with the release of an official paper, 'China's Africa Policy'. It highlights Beijing's readiness to co-operate with Africa in many areas, including in the development of natural resources.
Only days before Mr Li's arrival in Nigeria, China National Offshore Oil Corporation signed an agreement to buy a 45-per-cent stake in an oil block off the coast of Nigeria for US$2.3 billion.
China's hunger for energy to fuel its fast-growing economy has drawn criticism from those who see it as a potential threat to the United States. They say it is willing to deal with any resource-rich country regardless of its human-rights practices. Beijing's view is that it does not interfere in other countries' internal affairs.
However, last week, a senior US State Department official said that China's moves to secure crude oil supplies in Africa do not threaten American energy needs. 'I don't think China seeking oil in Africa is a threat to the United States' interest,' said Jendayi Frazer, the assistant secretary of state for African affairs.
Mr Li's first port of call was Cape Verde. There, he granted the island nation an interest-free loan of US$2.5 million to complete the construction of a hospital in the capital, Praia. China built both the presidential and parliamentary buildings in the country.
The next stop was Senegal, which had diplomatic relations with Taiwan until October. There, Mr Li, together with his Senegalese counterpart, Cheikh Tidiane Gadio, presided over the official reopening of the Chinese embassy. 'This is a new page in the relations between our two countries,' said Mr Li. He announced the cancellation of US$18.5 million in debt and offered US$3.7 million for the construction of hospitals, roads and other infrastructure.
