Chinese leader begins Africa tour

President Hu Jintao of China begins a week-long visit to Africa on Monday – his second tour of the continent since becoming leader three years ago.

The visit indicates the importance China is attaching to securing energy and trade deals in the region.

…He arrives in Africa with a clear message from Beijing that China and Africa have become natural partners.

One of them has an expanding economy eager for oil, gas, cotton, cobalt and timber.

The other has plentiful natural resources but needs help to exploit them.