New Chinese President Headed for Africa

Continent remains important for Chinese interests

Chinese President Xi Jinping will kick off a four-nation tour on Friday, the first by China's top leader since his election at last year's national congress of the Communist Party of China that completed the once-in-a-decade power transfer.

Xi, who was elected as Chinese president last week, will be making a debut visit to Africa since he assumed office, when he attends the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) block summit slated for March 26-27 in South Africa.