South Africa rolls out red carpet for Chinese President Xi Jinping as Beijing’s influence in Africa grows

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Open this photo in gallery: Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects the guard of honour during his state visit to South Africa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Aug. 22.AFP Contributor#AFP/AFP/Getty Images In his first visit to Africa in five years, Chinese President Xi Jinping has been given a hero’s welcome in Pretoria, highlighting the growing advantage that China wields in the battle for influence on the continent. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa made a late-night journey to Johannesburg’s international airport to greet Mr. Xi personally, along with a military honour guard and a troupe of Zulu dancers and singers....