Around the World: Africa

Yang visits region

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi kicked off his official tour of five African nations and Saudi Arabia yesterday, aiming to cement China's strategic partnership with Africa. "At the beginning of every year, China's foreign minister pays a visit to Africa. This a good tradition that dates back 20 years," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu. Yang arrived in the Maldives yesterday. Yang's tour of Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Algeria, Morocco will last from Jan 6 to 12, and then he will visit Saudi Arabia Jan 12 -13.