China has declared its readiness to strengthen cooperation with Africa in the fight against violent extremism. The offering is coming after the siege by Islamist gunmen at a hotel in Bamako, Mali last week, where nineteen people, including three Chinese citizens, were killed. China’s Foreign Minister WANG YI said in a speech to diplomats and reporters that the government will strengthen bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism and the fight against extremism, just as it continues to promote pragmatic cooperation between China and Africa. In the meantime; China is expected to affirm its commitment to Africa with the announcement of a new aid package next week. President XI JINPING is billed to make the announcement when he visits South-Africa next month to co-chair a summit in Johannesburg with the host President, JACOB ZUMA.
