China to boost ties with Africa

Beijing, 10 Feb-(ANA)-Chinese President Hu Jintao has embarked on an 8-day trip to Saudi Arabia and four African states -- Mali, Senegal, Tanzania and Mauritius-his first foreign tour for 2009.

Trade between China and Africa has jumped in the past decade, driven by China's resource needs and growing African demand for cheap Chinese-made products.

In 2008, total trade between the two sides was $106.8 billion, up 45.1 percent on 2007.

China's imports from Africa were $56 billion in 2008, and its exports to African states, including both Sub-Saharan and northern Africa, were $50.8 billion.

In 2000, trade was $10.5 billion, rising to $55.5 billion in 2006. China's imports from Africa are dominated by oil and mineral shipments from Angola, Sudan, Nigeria, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its  neighbour, the Republic of the Congo.(ANA)

FA/ANA/10 February 2009---