Wang Yingfan, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, told an open Security Council meeting that "we believe that when discussing and seeking a solution to the African issue, we should never forget the realities in Africa and neglect its unique characteristics."

"Our world is diversified," he said. "The African continent is an important part of it."

"After long and unremitting struggles, most African countries won national independence by the middle of the 20th century," he said. "However, due to years of colonialism as well as other reasons, their economic foundation is extremely weak, education for their people is minimal and their socioeconomic development has been hampered by many factors."

After winning independence, many African countries have traversed a difficult path of twists and turns," he said. "At present, like many other places, Africa also faces the two tasks of peace and development."

"But these two tasks take on different characteristics on the African continent and have a lot to do with its history, relations between countries and ethnic groups as well as the socioeconomic realities there," he said.

After the September 11 event, the international community has come to realize that poverty and armed conflicts are causes of terrorism, he said. "We believe that, only by increasing development aid to African countries and helping them develop economy and eradicate poverty can we lay a solid basis for a thorough solution to African conflicts."

The Organization of Africa Unity (OAU) and other African sub-regional groups are working hard to solve African regional conflicts and to promote economic development there, he said.

"As a primary organ for maintaining world peace and security, the Security Council has squarely on its shoulders a responsibility to solve the issue of African conflicts," he said.

"Promoting peace and development in Africa and strengthening cooperation with African countries constitutes an important part of China's foreign policy," he said.

In October 2000, China successfully hosted the China-Africa Forum on Cooperation in Beijing, the Chinese capital. The senior officials meeting and the ministerial meeting of the China-Africa Forum on Cooperation will be held in Ethiopia this year and next year respectively.

"Preparations for these two meetings are smoothly under way," he said. "The Chinese Government has always tried to provide necessary assistance to African countries to the best of its capacity."

The China-Africa Forum on Cooperation has already identified the fields and some projects of cooperation between the two sides, he said. "The Chinese Government has also made a pledge on reducing and exempting debts owed by African countries to China."

By now, more than 20 countries have signed with China the protocol on debt reduction and exemption, he said. "The Chinese Government will as always continue to strengthen its cooperation with African countries and make efforts to help find solutions to regional issues in Africa."

(People?s Daily January 29, 2002)