China's new President Xi Jinping pledged on Monday to strengthen his nation's ties with Africa during his first trip to the continent.

Addressing the Tanzanian parliament during the new leader's first official tour abroad, Xi said China's trade with Africa has exploded, reaching some 200 billion dollars in 2012.

Xi, who officially became president on March 14 and arrived in Africa from Russia, also noted that China's direct investment on the continent was on the rise.

Nearly a third of China's trade with Africa is with South Africa, the continent's economic powerhouse.

Xi will head to Pretoria next, where he will meet South African President Jacob Zuma, before travelling to Durban for a Brics summit with leaders from Russia, India and Brazil.

The BRICS grouping is expected to launch a new bank as an alternative to Western dominated institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

China, initially seen as a counter-balance to traditional Western trade partners, has come under some criticism in Africa - including from Nigeria's central bank chief, who recently warned that Beijing would keep the continent underdeveloped.

But in Tanzania, a poor country that has some coal and iron ore deposits, the government remained focused on China's positive contribution, including building a railway network.

Moreover, the Asian giant is an increasingly important consumer not only of minerals and energy such as African oil but also agricultural products, like Tanzanian fruit.

Analysts said choosing the East African nation as the first stop was meant to signal Beijing has deeper interests in Africa than just the short term purchase of raw materials.

Xi will conclude his African trip in the Republic of Congo, one the least developed countries in the world, where many regions lack a proper road network.Author: Shabtai Gold