BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping embarks on his first trip overseas this week as head of state - and one of his key stops will be attending the BRICS summit of emerging economies in South Africa. Xi’s trip also includes stops in Tanzania and Congo Brazzaville. The trip not only highlights Beijing’s growing presence on the continent but also its desire to play a bigger global economic role.
Chinese investment in Africa is soaring, reaching nearly $20 billion last year alone.
In China, hundreds of thousands of Africans have come to work.
With the expanding trade and investment ties, says political scientist Tang Xiaoyang, it makes sense for China’s new leader to reach out to developin
