By Enyichukwu Enemanna
China’s new Foreign Minister Qin Gang has commenced a week-long visit to five African countries as he assumes office in the Ministry, Foreign Ministry announced on Monday.
The visit which starts from Jan. 9-16, will see Qin visit Ethiopia, Gabon, Angola, Benin and Egypt, the ministry’s spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily media briefing.
In Egypt, Qin who until recently was ambassador to the United States will also meet the secretary-general of the Arab League.
Qin is following footsteps of his predecessors, who have for more than three decades started each year with a trip to Africa.
“It shows that China attaches great importance to the traditional friendship with Africa and the development of China-Africa relations,” Wang said.
China has become a major trading partner with the continent and an investor in infrastructure and mining projects.
The US is battling China for influence in Africa, with President Joe Biden making an appeal to African leaders at a summit in Washington in December.
Qin, 56, was appointed foreign minister on Dec. 30. He succeeded Wang Yi, 69, who has replaced Yang Jiechi as the government’s top foreign policy official.
