Wen clinches raft of deals during African tour

Wen arrived back in China Sunday morning after concluding his whirl-wind official visits to Egypt, Ghana, the Republic of Congo, Angola, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda, Xinhua news agency reported.

Wen's trip -- the third high-level Chinese diplomatic visit to Africa in less than six months -- follows visits earlier this year by Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and President Hu Jintao, who clinched important oil exploration deals in several states.

The tour to the world's poorest continent has aroused concern that Beijing's diplomatic offensive was aimed at countering the United States and sparked criticism that China's hunt for natural resources was in disregard of human rights.

Wen rejected those criticisms and stressed that China followed a policy of non-interference in other countries' affairs.

Instead, he talked optimistically of a new strategic partnership with Africa which would enhance political equality and mutual trust as well as promoting economic and political ties.

"The Chinese government, guided by the principle of sincerity, friendship, equality, mutual benefit and common development, is committed to building a new type of strategic partnership with Africa," Wen said in South Africa.

Trade between China and Africa reached around 40 billion dollars in 2005, a rise of 35 percent from a year earlier and almost four times higher than in 2001.

In addition, China has given 5.5 billion dollars in assistance to Africa, sent 16,000 health workers to 43 different countries on the continent and reduced or cancelled the debt of 31 nations over the past 50 years.

It has also promised steps to expand economic and trade ties and help Africa by offering zero-tariff treatment for some exports and increased aid and debt relief, while at the same time helping to build infrastructure.

In Wen's last stop, Uganda, agreements signed include economic and technical cooperation, energy and infrastructure, mining, textiles, oil exploration and tourism.