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China's top diplomat heads to Africa as West's attention dwindles


Published on 2025-01-06 12:00:44 - Reuters
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  • China's top diplomat began his annual New Year tour of Africa on Sunday, maintaining a 35-year-long tradition, to quietly advance Beijing's already sizeable influence across the resource-rich continent as Europe's presence wanes and America's wavers.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to visit Egypt, Tunisia, Togo, and Côte d'Ivoire from January 13-18, 2025, as part of China's ongoing diplomatic engagement with Africa. This visit comes at a time when Western attention towards the continent has reportedly waned, particularly in light of conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. The trip aims to strengthen China-Africa relations, focusing on economic partnerships, infrastructure development, and possibly addressing security issues. This diplomatic outreach underscores China's strategy to expand its influence in Africa, where it has been investing heavily in infrastructure projects under initiatives like the Belt and Road. The visit also reflects China's broader geopolitical strategy to counterbalance Western influence and secure resources and markets for its growing economy.

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[ https://www.reuters.com/world/chinas-top-diplomat-heads-africa-wests-attention-dwindles-2025-01-06/ ]