He arrived in Tanzania on Sunday, March 24 at the start of a three-nation visit.
China’s new President, Xi Jinping arrived in Tanzania yesterday, March 24, 2013 at the start of a three-nation African tour that underscores Beijing’s growing presence on the continent. President Jinping’s tour - part of his first overseas trip which started in Russia last week - includes stops in South Africa and the Republic of Congo, AFP news agency reported.
Xi will visit Tanzania’s economic capital, Dar es Salaam where he is set to give a keynote speech on relations with Africa before heading to Durban, South Africa, later today, March 25, 2013 to join an emerging economies summit. China is the second-largest foreign investor in Tanzania with interests in agriculture, coal, iron ore and infrastructure. It is reviving this partnership by investing heavily in Tanzania’s infrastructure such as railways that could provide a vital link to Chinese-run mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Chinese leader said ahead of his trip that China-Africa co-operation was comprehensive, adding that Beijing valued friendly relationships with all African countries, no matter their size or natural endowment. He said China treats African countries equally and actively carries out pragmatic co-operation that benefits both sides. According to the BBC, the Chinese leader will attend the fifth Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, BRICS summit in Durban, South Africa from March 26-27, 2013. BRICS stands for these five key emerging economies. Xi Jinping was confirmed as China's President last week, concluding a lengthy transition process that saw him assume the Communist Party leadership in November 2012.
China today has the world’s second-largest economy and sources much of its raw materials from Africa. A new Chinese diaspora has seen huge numbers of traders and small business operators establish themselves across the continent. Chinese imports from Africa rose 20-fold in a decade to reach US 113 billion Dollars (about FCFA 57,071 billion) in 2012. China also became Africa’s largest trading partner in 2009. Highlighting the changing relationship, Beijing hosted a summit of 48 African leaders in 2006.
