Bolivia's Morales travels to China

Bolivian President Evo Morales is visiting China to review growing Chinese investment in the Andean nation, a senior adviser said Monday. "This is a strategic trip, given that the country is promoting a series of... strategic 'mega project' developments related to diversifying the economy," Presidency Minister Carlos Romero told reporters. The investments include iron ore and lithium mining projects. Morales, the leftist leader of one of south America's poorest countries, flew to Beijing along with senior officials, including Planning Minister Viviana Caro and Economy and Finance Minister Luis Arce. In December, Bolivia and China signed a deal to build a $300 million communications satellite to be launched into space within three years. Construction of the Tupac Katari satellite, named after an 18th century indigenous hero who fought Bolivia's Spanish colonizers, will receive 85 percent financing from China. Bolivian and Chinese technicians are also assembling six K-8 Chinese jet warplanes for the country's war on drugs, according to military officials. The warplanes were acquired through Chinese credit and will be the first of their kind in Bolivia. Up to now, the Bolivian Air Force has only had cargo aircraft training.