Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe will be among the four African countries that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit between January 12 and 16, Xinhua reports.

The Chinese state-run news agency quotes Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang as telling reporters: “Over the past 20-plus years, Chinese foreign ministers have always chosen Africa as their first trip in the new year.”

Mr Lu said Mr Wang’s continuation of this custom showed China paid great attention to its relations with African countries.

The minister’s visits will promote mutual political trust, increase mutually beneficial co-operation and prepare for the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation meeting, which will be held this year in China, Xinhua quotes Mr Lu as saying.