The Chinese foreign minister has begun a five-day trip to Africa aimed at building cooperation and strengthening ties. Yang Jiechi will be visiting Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi and South Africa. A spokeswoman declined to give details of proposed agreements, but said he would exchange views on bilateral issues, China-African cooperation and sign a number of cooperation documents. China has built close partnerships with African countries in recent years, partly to obtain resources such as oil, minerals and timber needed for its economic growth. Many African countries have welcomed China’s no-strings-attached economic policies. A World Bank report says it has led to a huge infrastructure revolution on the continent which is vital to reducing poverty. - Panos, London.