China sets for African resources

China's foreign minister is starting a week of visits to African countries in search of energy deals and other African resources for China's booming economy.

Li Zhaoxing will visit Senegal, Cape Verde, Liberia, Mali and Nigeria, according to the BBC.

China is interested in African oil and gas, and also its timber reserves, the report said.

Earlier this week China's state-run oil corporation confirmed a $2 billion stake in the Akpo oil and gas field off the Nigerian coast.

Besides, China is heavily involved in Sudan's oil industry and has recently struck petroleum deals with Gabon, Algeria, Angola and Egypt.

China has also invested in copper in Zambia, coal and gold in South Africa, tobacco in Zimbabwe, mobile phones in Kenya and hotels in Botswana, UPI reports.

V.Y.