Chinese President to visit 8 African nations

Chinese President Hu Jintao will pay a state visit to eight African nations from Jan. 30 to Feb. 10, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao announced on Tuesday.

The eight nations are Cameroon, Liberia, Sudan, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique and Seychelles.

"This tour will be another major diplomatic move by China toward African nations since the Beijing summit was held last November," Liu told a regular press conference.

He said Hu's visit is aimed at deepening the traditional friendship and realizing the agreements reached during the Beijing summit, including eight commitments Hu had made to benefit the African countries.

The Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation involved leaders from 48 African countries, most of them presidents or prime ministers.

During the upcoming African visit, President Hu is expected to meet leaders of the eight nations, and will exchange views with them on bilateral relationship and issues of common concern, according to the spokesman.

"China believes that Hu's tour would further cement its traditional friendship with Africa, promote substantial cooperation in various fields and boost its new-type strategic partnership with Africa," Liu said.