克林顿非洲之行被视为抗衡中国的影响

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton starts her tour of Africa with a visit to Senegal. Analysts say the seven-nation trip is meant to counter China\'s growing influence in the resource-rich continent.

Throughout her 10-day trip, the State Department says Clinton will highlight U.S. plans to strengthen democratic institutions, expand development, spur economic growth, and advance peace and security in Africa.

But analysts told VOA that part of that strategy involves challenging the role of China, which last month announced massive new investment across the rapidly growing continent.

At a summit between African and Chinese leaders in Beijing in July, China pledged $20 billion in new loans to Africa over the next three years - double the amount it offered during the previous three year period.

Trade between China and African countries has surged as Beijing looks for resources to fuel its economic boom, reaching a record $166 billion last year.

Viano says Washington does not want to lose out on important business interests in Africa, which is home to some of the world\'s fastest growing economies.

The trip will take Clinton to Senegal, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, and Ghana.

美国国务院说，克林顿在访问非洲的十日期间将强调美国计划加强非洲国家的民主体制、促进经济发展以及推动非洲实现和平与安全。

但分析人士对美国之音说，美国的非洲战略还包括抗衡中国在非洲的影响。中国上星期宣布，在发展迅速的非洲各国进行大规模的新投资。

今年7月，非洲和中国领导人在北京举行峰会，中国承诺在未来三年期间为非洲提供200亿美元新贷款，这一数额两倍于中国在以往三年中为非洲提供的贷款。

北京寻求利用非洲的资源来支持中国经济高速发展，在这种情况下，去年中国与非洲的贸易额达到创记录的1660亿美元。

分析人士维亚诺说，华盛顿不想失去在非洲的重要商业利益，一些非洲国家位居世界发展最迅速的经济体之列。

在访问非洲七国期间，克林顿将呼吁这些国家实行改革以推动经济发展以及强化民主体制。

美国国务院说，克林顿星期三将会晤塞内加尔新总统萨勒，并将强调指出塞内加尔是体现民主体制活力的楷模。

克林顿将先后访问塞内加尔、南苏丹、乌干达、肯尼亚、马拉维、南非、尼日尔和加纳。