Hu Jintao’s first overseas visit in 2009 will be to Africa and Saudi Arabia. From AFP:
Hu will travel to Mali, Senegal, Tanzania and Mauritius, as well as Saudi Arabia, from February 10 to 17, foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told reporters.
“He will hold meetings with leaders of those countries and exchange views on further strengthening China’s friendly cooperative relations… and on international and regional issues of common concern,” she said.
China has in recent years worked hard to develop closer partnerships with African nations and Saudi Arabia, the world’s leading oil producer, as its demand for energy has sky-rocketed.
Hu’s last trip to Africa was at the beginning of 2007, and this will be his fourth visit there since becoming president in 2003.
Read also a China Daily report.
