On this Day in Chinese History; 16 January

This day, 16 January, in 1995, Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen visited Nigeria, Togo, Benin and elsewhere during his annual new year visit to Africa. Writing in “Ten Notes on Diplomacy”, Qian said of China and Africa, “Both are developing, both have a history of oppression and exploitation by colonialism, and both can easily understand each other’s commitment to independence and freedom”.