The African Development Bank (AfDB) on Wednesday opened its
annual board meetings in Shanghai, a move
widely seen as bolstering China-Africa cooperation..
In his address to the opening ceremony, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said the current annual meetings
would surely boost the AfDB's growth, strengthen its role and
increase its influence.
This is the first time the annual meetings are being held in
Asia, and only the second time outside Africa.
While reviewing the traditional friendship between China and
Africa, Wen said the Chinese government and people are committed to
Africa 's peace and development.
Since the nation started to establish diplomatic relations with
African countries in the 1950s, China has built more than 900
infrastructure and public projects in Africa, he said.
China also extends zero-tariff treatment to the exports of some
underdeveloped African countries to China and offers greater market
access to African products, Wen said.
To enhance bilateral partnership, China announced further
measures including more aid and wider market access to Africa,
during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
held last November.
China will fully deliver on the commitments and is working with
the African countries to implement the measures, Wen said, urging
exploration of new ways of cooperation to bring about mutual
benefit.
Wen also called for better project evaluation and higher
efficiency of investment and loans, adding that governments should
provide more guidance for businesses.
The Chinese government is also ready to strengthen cooperation
with other countries and international financial institutions
including the ADB, Wen said.
Themed "Africa and Asia: Partners in Development," the two-day
meetings will focus on infrastructure development in Africa,
regional integrity, and poverty relief.
Around 2,000 people attended the opening ceremony, including
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, President of Cape Verde Pedro Pires,
and President of Madagascar Marc Ravalomanana.
Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the People's Bank
of China, the central bank, and Donald Kaberuka, president of
African Development Bank, also attended the opening ceremony.
"Since its inception, the African Development Bank has made a
lot of achievements in poverty reduction, development, and African
integration," Zhou said.
"I'm confident that these annual meetings will become a fresh
starting point for all parties to intensify cooperation and promote
development in both Asia and Africa," Zhou added.
"Africa is better poised for economic prosperity and better
governance than it has been for decades," said Kaberuka, the ADB
president, who forecast the economic growth of Africa at above 6.5
percent in 2007.
Kaberuka called for sustained development of the African
economy, which currently has "serious cause for concern" including
lack of progress in part of the continent, vulnerable and low-based
economic facets, and a relatively quickly-growing population.
Founded in 1964, the AfDB has 77 members from Africa, America,
Europe, and Asia. China became a member in 1985.
(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2007)
