China Programme • Volume 13 • Number 2 • 21st January 2009

Chinese Minister Tours Africa to Promote Deeper Economic Ties

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China’s Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi concluded a multi-stop African tour with a visit to South Africa on Saturday. The Chinese minister also visited Uganda, Rwanda and Malawi – some of China’s largest trading partners in the region – in an effort to solidify and further strengthen Beijing’s economic ties on the continent.

For more than a decade, China has begun the New Year with visits to Africa to discuss trade policy. Beijing’s pursuit of Africa’s vast reserves of natural resources has given the continent, an important emerging market in its own right, a significant economic boost in recent years.

In Kigali, Yang signed a trade pact with Rwandan Foreign Minister Rosemary Museminali. Under the agreement, the two countries promised to boost trade and economic relations, including by providing incentives for Chinese firms to invest in Rwanda.

Chinese trade with Africa has grown rapidly over recent years, but remains limited compared to the Asian Giant’s trade flows with other parts of the world. In the last seven years trade with South Africa has increased one hundred-fold. China-Africa trade reached a new high of US$ 106.8 billion last year, according to Chinese government figures. Its largest partner in the region is oil-rich Angola; trade between the two countries was valued at US $25.3 billion in 2008. In contrast, Chinese trade with South Korea alone amounted to US$150 billion the year before. While in Johannesburg the Chinese official stressed the importance of cooperation and coalition-building during the global financial crisis, and made assurances that there would be no cutback on aid to Africa because of the economic turmoil.

Chen Deming, China’s commerce minister on separate visits set out for meetings in Kenya, Zambia, and Angola.

ICTSD reporting; “China hails Angola as largest African trading partner,” REUTERS, 19 January 2009; “China’s foreign minister wrapping up Africa tour,” VOA NEWS, 16 January 2009; “Chinese-African trade volume hits all time high to reach $106.8 bln,” XINHUA, 19 January 2009.