Trade: China seeks to develop ties with Africa to counter U.S. influence

This one is for you Eric! (publisher of the excellent, The Blogging Boss)

China's foreign minister Li Zhaoxing, has begun a six-nation African tour aimed at developing energy ties and forging political alliances as a balance to US influence.

The Minister is visiting Cape Verde, Senegal, Mali, Liberia, Nigeria and Libya during the trip, and it is expected he will sign a range of bilateral agreements on economic and technological cooperation.

IC publications, reports that Foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said: "We stand ready to work with the African nations through bilateral channels and through the China-Africa Forum... to enhance our cooperation in various fields, including the field of energy exploration."