China's trade with African states has grown tenfold over the last decade, with the total value likely to hit US$300 billion this year,
This emerged at the Fourth China-Africa Industrial Forum (CAIF), which opened in Beijing on Monday.
Speaking at the opening session, Yang Fuchang, a former deputy foreign minister, pointed out that China's trade with Africa had amounted to US$10 billion in 2000. Last year, the figure grew to US$220 billion.
“China is seeking to raise the amount to $400 billion by 2020,” Yang said in a CAIF statement.