Hillary Clinton launches African tour with veiled attack on China

Source: Guardian

Hillary Clinton launches African tour with veiled attack on China

US secretary of stat contrasts US commitment to democracy and human rights with rival powers' focus on exploiting resources

David Smith in Johannesburg
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 1 August 2012 12.46 EDT

Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, has launched an 11-day tour of Africa by contrasting America's commitment to democracy and human rights with rival powers' focus on exploiting resources.

Although Clinton did not mention any country by name, her remarks will be widely interpreted as a swipe at China, which eclipsed the US as Africa's biggest trading partner three years ago.

The secretary of state is accompanied by a US business delegation on a seven-nation tour that will include Africa's youngest country, South Sudan, and a private visit to its elder statesman, 94-year-old Nelson Mandela.

During her first stop on Wednesday in Senegal, Clinton told a university audience that the US was committed to "a model of sustainable partnership that adds value, rather than extracts it" from Africa.


Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/01/hillary-clinton-africa-china