China, Africa end summit, pledge greater ties

[CHIMO]

Chinese and African leaders have wrapped up their biggest summit since the founding of Communist China in 1949, signing deals worth $1.9 billion. The deals, signed between 12 Chinese firms and African governments and companies, followed Chinese President Hu Jintao's pledge on Saturday to offer $5 billion in loans and credit, and to double aid to Africa by 2009. The delegates called for increased African involvement at the United Nations, and announced a new type of strategic partnership and "action plan" that charts cooperation over the next three years. China is keen to secure oil, gas and mineral resources from Africa, to fuel its rapid, raw material- intensive economic expansion.

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