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China's Xi Jinping just arrived for a visit to Africa — as US interest in the region seems to be waning
Reuters
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping is arriving in Africa on a four-nation visit seeking deeper military and economic ties while his rival in a bitter trade war, the Trump administration, shows little interest in the continent.
This is Xi's first trip abroad since he was appointed to a second term in March with term limits removed, allowing him to rule for as long as he wants. That rang familiar to some of Africa's long-entrenched leaders.
Xi stops in Senegal and Rwanda before attending a summit of the BRICS emerging economies in South Africa that starts on Wednesday. The summit comes amid the United States' billion-dollar trade war with China and tough trade negotiations with other key economic partners.
Last month the BRICS foreign ministers criticized a "new wave of protectionism."
Xi's tour of Africa comes after a trip to the United Arab Emirates, which was the first visit by a Chinese leader to the Gulf state in 29 years. China has played a limited role in the Middle East, but the 13 agreements and memoranda of understanding signed during Xi's visit signal energy-hungry Beijing's rapidly growing interest in the region.
China is the UAE's second-largest trading partner and biggest source of imports. The UAE is the gateway for about 60% of China's exports to the Middle East, and on its own accounts for around one-quarter of total Arab trade with China.
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