China pledges to work with Africa in fighting militancy after Mali attack

By Sui-Lee Wee BEIJING (Reuters) - China will strengthen its cooperation with Africa in the fight against violent extremism after an attack last week by Islamist militants in Mali killed 19 people, including three Chinese citizens, China's foreign minister said on Thursday. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for relevant departments to boost security work outside China's borders last week after gunmen attacked a hotel in Mali's capital on Nov. 20. The three Chinese citizens killed in the hotel