China's Hu takes in Kenyan sights at end of tour

Chinese President Hu Jintao yesterday swapped his suit and tie for casual trousers and binoculars in Kenya on the last day of a gruelling three-continent tour cementing Beijing's global clout.

The Chinese leader made a brief stop to a viewpoint overlooking Kenya's famed Rift Valley in his first spot of sightseeing since embarking on the five-nation tour 10 days ago.

Singing women villagers swathed in shawls and headscarves welcomed Hu and his wife, Liu Yongqing, to the spot some 50 kilometres northwest of Nairobi.

As Hu viewed the mist-shrouded valley, his wife and other delegation members browsed at stalls selling soapstone candlesticks, giraffe carvings and fly-whisks made from cow tails.

Looking relaxed and smiling, Hu received gifts of a brightly coloured Maasai blanket and wooden buffalo.

Chinese officials said it was his only break during a tour which saw him secure oil deals in Africa, offer to help bring stability in the Middle East and reassure Washington that China's rapid development was not a threat to the superpower.

Chinese delegation spokesman Liu Jianchao said the trip had been a success, but insisted there was more to it than snapping up new energy sources to feed China's roaring economy.