Jan. 31, 2007 (China Knowledge) – Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in the capital of Cameroon on Tuesday, kicking off his eight-nation Africa tour.

Hu’s trip is seen as a follow-up to the China-Africa cooperation summit in Beijing last year, and reaffirms China’s desire to broaden its reach and to strengthen ties with the African continent.

In his second trip to the continent in two years, Hu will pay state visits to Cameroon, Liberia, Sudan, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique and the Seychelles, from Jan. 30 to Feb. 10, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced.

Hu is expected during his 12-day visit to announce new investment worth billions of dollars and to follow through on promises of aid, including debt relief, made during last year’s Africa summit in Beijing.

Trade between Africa and China has risen fourfold this decade to US$40 billion in 2005, driven by China’s demand for natural resources, particularly oil.

At the China-Africa summit in Beijing last year, China advanced an eight-point package to support African development. It includes reducing debt, cutting tariffs on African imports, increasing aid, improving vocational training and increasing investment.

Analysts say the major focus of Hu's trip is to ensure the package's pledges are carried out.