China, africa: ‘A new strategic partnership’
His stops included Egypt, Ghana, the Republic of Congo, Angola, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda, Xinhua news agency reported.
His trip follows African visits earlier this year by Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and President Hu Jintao, who clinched important oil exploration deals in several states.
Li described the premier’s trip as ‘fruitful’ and said it had deepened friendship, enhanced trust and broadened cooperation, Xinhua reported.
The tour to the world’s poorest continent has aroused concern that Beijing’s diplomatic offensive was aimed at countering the United States and sparked criticism that China’s hunt for natural resources was in disregard of human rights.
Wen rejected those criticisms and stressed that China followed a policy of non-interference in other countries’ affairs.
mmorning.com