THE AFRICA FIRST TRADITION CONTINUES

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Chad, and Nigeria from January 5-11, marking the 35th consecutive year that a Chinese foreign minister's first overseas trip is to Africa. According to the spokesperson Chinese foreign affairs ministry, Mao Ning, the tradition of visiting Africa first at the beginning of every year highlights part of China's commitment to its Africa relations. Last year, Wang visited Tunisia, Togo, and Ivory Coast. Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Chad, and Nigeria are all China's friendly cooperation partners. The purpose of Foreign Minister Wang Yi's upcoming visit is to implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and deepen practical cooperation across the board for sustained and substantive growth of China-Africa relations, the spokesperson noted. By Lawal Sale Lawal Sale is Abuja based Global Affairs Analyst