China's Hu vows to increase Africa investment

Africa: President Hu Jintao promised Thursday that China would step up its investment in Africa as Beijing looked to his whirlwind tour of Africa to shake off accusations it exploits the continent.

China stressed the trip would focus less on securing energy supplies - as others in the past had done - and more on shoring up political ties, boosting aid, and working with Africa to fight the impact of the global economic crisis.

"We will increase our investments in the continent," Hu said in Mali, the first step of a tour that will also take him to Senegal, Tanzania and Mauritius.

"China will ask the international community to honor their promises to the developing countries," he said, adding that China would take the lead by reducing the debt owed to Beijing by African nations.

China is often criticized for its alleged drive to secure natural resources from African states, including from regimes spurned by the West like Sudan.

BAMAKO, Friday, AFP