Beijing, China, 27 Dec – The Chinese foreign minister, Li Zhaoxing is to carry out official visits to seven African countries, including Guinea Bissau, between December 31 and January 8, a ministry spokesperson said.

Qin Gang said that the minister would visit Benin, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Chad, The Central African Republic, Eritrea and Botswana.

The trip follows visits by the respective African counterparts to China and is the fourth visit a Chinese leader has made to the continent this year.

Increased relations between China and Africa became clear during the summit held in Beijing in November, which was attended by the heads of state and government from 40 African nations.

During the summit several electricity and economic cooperation agreements were signed.

China considers Africa to be a source of natural and energy resources, which are indispensable for the country’s economic development. Angola is currently the second-biggest supplier of oil to China (macauhub)