Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will embark on a diplomatic tour to Guinea and Sierra Leone from November 10 to 16. The visit, announced by a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Monday, underscores Beijing’s deepening engagement with resource-rich African nations.
At the invitation of Guinean President Mamady Doumbouya, Liu will serve as President Xi Jinping’s special representative at the inauguration of the Simandou iron ore mine on November 11. The $20 billion Simandou project, one of the world’s largest untapped high-grade iron ore deposits, is a cornerstone of Guinea’s economic development strategy and a focal point of China’s infrastructure-driven partnerships in Africa.
The mine’s development, involving Chinese state-backed enterprises, is expected to reshape global iron ore markets while bolstering regional infrastructure, including railways and ports. Analysts view Liu’s participation as a signal of China’s commitment to stabilizing critical mineral supply chains amid growing global demand for green energy technologies.
During his six-day trip, Liu will also meet with Sierra Leonean leaders to discuss bilateral cooperation, reflecting China’s broader strategy of fostering multilateral economic ties across West Africa. The visits highlight Beijing’s role as a key investor in Africa’s industrial transformation, aligning with the continent’s Agenda 2063 development framework.
