Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has arrived in Angola, his fourth stop on a tour designed to strengthen Beijing's economic ties to Africa.

Mr. Wen is expected to meet with President Jose Eduardo dos Santos and to witness the signing of new oil and financial deals between the two countries.

Angola passed Saudi Arabia as China's top oil supplier earlier this year. China has provided the south African country with a multi-billion-dollar credit line to help it rebuild from 27 years of civil war.

Mr. Wen is the third senior Chinese official to visit Africa this year, as Beijing seeks to secure energy supplies and markets for its booming economy.

Chinese officials have defended the country's interests in Africa as being mutually beneficial with the countries involved.

Mr. Wen already has been to Egypt, Ghana and the Republic of Congo on this trip. He is due visit South Africa, Uganda and Tanzania before returning home.