The Chinese TV soap A Beautiful Daughter-in-Law Era is a must-watch show in Tanzania, where viewers follow a Chinese family's every move in the 36-episode comedy. Dubbed into Swahili, Doudou na Mama Wakwe Zake, as the show is called locally, presents a clear look at daily life in China and has generated much interest in the build-up to the country's first visit by new Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"This series helps Tanzanian people understand the happiness and sadness experienced by Chinese people," President Xi said during his address at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Center in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania on March 25.

This was Xi's first visit to Africa since he was elected Chinese president in mid-March. On March 22-31, he made his first state visits to foreign countries. Apart from Russia, his tour included stops in three African countries: Tanzania, South Africa and the Republic of the Congo. He also attended the Fifth BRICS (five emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Summit held in Durban, South Africa.

During his seven-day stay in Africa, Xi signed more than 40 cooperation agreements, including some big projects that will improve the livelihoods of Africans. He also announced a series of measures to support Africa, including increasing aid, cooperation in finance and investment, and career training. He proposed to establish a $20 billion credit-line to African nations over the next three years.

"These measures will be completely implemented without any political strings," said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Phyllis Johnson, Executive Director of the Harare-based Southern Africa Research and Documentation Center, observed Xi's visit to Africa and is optimistic about the future development of China-Africa relations. "Under the new Chinese leadership, China-Africa relations will move forward on the strength of the rapid development recorded in the past 10 years," she noted, adding that Xi's Africa visit shows that the new Chinese leadership attaches importance to China-Africa relations.

First trip

This is the first time a Chinese president has visited Africa during his first trip abroad. Observers believe that Xi's successful visit to Africa and his attendance at the BRICS Summit consolidated China's ties with African countries and other emerging economies.

"President Xi stepped onto African soil during his first state visit, indicating that China values the traditional Sino-African relationship and hopes to broaden bilateral friendships in this new era," commented Wang. "His visit continues and develops the traditional friendships between China and African countries."

But Liu Guijin, former Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on African Affairs, sees the visit another way. "President Xi chose to stop in three African countries on his first visit. I think it is like he is visiting his relatives," said Liu, currently the Dean of the China-Africa International Business School at Zhejiang Normal University. "China and African countries have been close friends, and Xi's visit shows that China will continue the friendship. You can see how he was welcomed in these African countries."

Though Xi did not have time to visit more African countries, he tried hard to listen to more African voices. On the morning of March 28, Xi met with 14 African state leaders at a breakfast meeting in Durban, South Africa, including Mozambican President Armando Emílio Guebuza and Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

"I want to know more about the ideas of African countries in regard to developing Sino-African relations," said Xi at the meeting.