Meeting marathon highlights strong relationship with continent's leaders

I had been wondering how Chinese President Xi Jinping managed to meet and talk with 10 of his African counterparts in one afternoon when I first learned of his agenda for Thursday.

A group meeting, like Friday's "working breakfast" with 13 other African heads of state, was much easier. After all, logistical arrangements for one-on-one talks involve much more meticulous planning.

As it turned out, Cameroonian President Paul Biya, who was reportedly on an initial list for the marathon bilateral meetings, didn't make it to the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg till the last minute.