China’s CCP shores up support in Africa as it braces for Biden

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to wrap up his tour of five African countries on Saturday. © Reuters

BEIJING — Every year since 1991, China’s foreign minister has chosen Africa for the first overseas trip of the year, symbolizing the importance Beijing places on its partnerships there.

Despite cutting back on international travel recently due to the coronavirus pandemic, Foreign Minister Wang Yi is carrying on the tradition, embarking on a five-nation African tour that takes him to Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Botswana, Tanzania and the Seychelles through Saturday.

It comes just ahead of incoming U.S. President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration and underscores Beijing’s intent to bolster traditionally friendly ties with its African partners.

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