Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is currently on an African tour expected to fuel Chinese-African relations and boost bilateral investment. Today he is in Angola, his fourth nation to visit. The six other nations on the tour, which began June 17, include Egypt, Ghana, the Republic of Congo, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda.

Wen’s visit marks the third to Africa this year by high-profile Chinese officials, whose trips have covered 15 African nations in six months.

In 2005, China-Africa total trade volume reached $39 billion, a 35 percent rise over 2004 mainly due to increased imports of African oil, which now amount to about a third of China’s crude oil imports. China is now Africa’s third most important commercial partner, behind the U.S. and France. In total, Chinese companies are believed to be tied in 900 investment projects in Africa, with 700 Chinese companies operating on the continent.

While Wen toured Africa, a delegation of 25 African senior diplomats representing 25 countries and two sub-regional organizations met with Chinese officials in Beijing. Another meeting between Chinese and African leaders is scheduled for November.

At a press conference in Cairo, Wen was asked to address the accusation that “China just wants oil in growing relations with African countries” and China is pursuing so-called “neo-colonialism.’” The Chinese premier responded by saying a main reason China supports African national liberation and resurgence is to fight colonialism.

Behind the diplomatic platitudes voiced by Chinese officials is the truth that China needs African resources to fuel its push to superpower status. For more information, read Russia and China in Prophecy.