China stands alarmed at Japan's continent-wide diplomacy in reinvigorating its ties with Africa. China accords great strategic significance to Africa as a source of precious raw materials and a booming market for finished products. China's trade with Africa was set to surpass $200 billion in 2012, a landmark achievement for its continuously rising share in global trade and commerce. A public scuffle broke out this week between the Chinese ambassador to the African Union (AU), Xie Xiaoyan, and the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, with Xie characterizing Abe as "the biggest troublemaker in Asia" a day after Mr. Abe addressed the AU and pledged loans worth $2 billion over five years as private sector assistance to Africa. Mr. Abe's diplomatic push has upset the Chinese government as he focuses on cornering precious energy resources in Mozambique along with offering billions of dollars in aid, trade, and loans with a view to forging close relations across the continent. Ambassador...(Read Full Post)