China reaffirms commitment to Africa

China’s President Xi Jinping pledged more investment in Africa during his first overseas tour and praised the economic growth of the continent at a speech in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania on Monday, Financial Times reported. Xi confirmed China’s pledge of US$20 billion in loans to Africa over the next three years. He defended the trade relationship between the two regions, countering critics who question the positive impact of China’s interests in Africa. “China will continue to offer necessary assistance to Africa with no political strings attached,” Xi said.