Asia-Pacific News
Hu heads to Mauritius after pledging aid to Africa
Feb 16, 2009, 6:16 GMT
Nairobi - Chinese President Hu Jintao was due in Mauritius Monday for the last stop on a four-country African tour during which he has already signed aid and loan deals worth over 100 million dollars.
Hu witnessed the signing of a 22-million-dollar aid deal for Tanzania in the capital Dar es Salaam on Sunday and met Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete.
The Chinese president also visited Senegal, where he rubber- stamped aid and loan deals worth 90 million dollars, and Mali, where he laid the first brick for a bridge being built by the Chinese in the capital Bamako.
Analysts says Hu's tour is aimed at building ties and boosting China's image in Africa.
China is often accused of only being interested in the continent's oil and minerals and of being prepared to deal with any government, no matter how unscrupulous.
China is heavily involved in the Sudanese oil industry and has also signed a deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo to build infrastructure in return for mining rights.
However, none of the countries on Hu's tour are rich in minerals or oil.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Asia-Pacific
- 1. Chinese dissidents hail late democracy activist Fang Lizhi
- 2. China "worried" over planned North Korea rocket launch
- 3. Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi meets Karen rebels
- 4. Chinese schoolboy sells kidney to buy iPad, iPhone
- 5. Myanmar president invites Karen rebels to form party
Older Talkback
