China’s top diplomat started his yearly New Year trip to Africa on Wednesday. He targets the key eastern region. The world’s second-largest economy aims to boost its clout on the continent.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi plans stops in Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Lesotho.
His visit to Somalia breaks a long gap. No Chinese foreign minister has gone there since the 1980s. It offers Mogadishu a key lift. Israel recognized Somaliland last month. That northern area split off in 1991.
Beijing stood by Somalia after Israel’s step. China seeks more sway near the Gulf of Aden. The gulf opens to the Red Sea. Chinese trade flows there to the Suez Canal and on to Europe.
Tanzania aids Beijing’s drive for Africa’s big copper reserves. Chinese companies repair the Tazara Railway. It crosses Tanzania into Zambia. Li Qiang visited Zambia last November. He was the first Chinese premier there in 28 years.
People view the railway as a check on the Lobito Corridor. The U.S. and EU back that path. It ties Zambia to Atlantic ports through Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Wang’s trip to Lesotho underscores China’s free trade stand. Last year, China opened its $19 trillion market with no tariffs to the poorest countries. President Xi Jinping pledged this at the 2024 China-Africa summit in Beijing.
Lesotho ranks among the world’s poorest nations. Its GDP sits just above $2 billion. Trump’s broad tariffs struck it hard last year. Its U.S. exports faced duties up to 50 percent.
