President Joe Biden’s visit to Angola on Dec. 2 marks his final foreign trip of his presidency, aimed at strengthening ties with African nations amidst China and Russia’s growing influence on the continent. The two-day visit includes meetings with Angolan President João Lourenço, a tour of the Lobito port terminal, and participation in the Lobito Corridor Trans-Africa summit.
One of the key focuses of Biden’s visit is the Lobito Corridor project, a rail line investment initiative that connects Angola’s Lobito port to mineral-rich areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia’s Copperbelt. This project, supported by the U.S., serves as a strategic counter to China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Africa.
The Lobito Corridor project involves refurbishing and constructing rail infrastructure, as well as investing in road, water, and digital infrastructure. The U.S. aims to provide an alternative to Chinese investments, which have been criticized for their association with low standards, child labor, and corruption.
While China and Russia have significant economic and military presence in Africa, Biden’s visit underscores the importance of U.S. engagement with the continent. This trip marks the first visit to Africa by a U.S. president in nearly a decade and the first time a sitting president has visited Angola. Following his visits to Angola and Cabo Verde, Biden will return to Washington, concluding his diplomatic mission in Africa. Please rewrite this sentence.
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