The Beijing Summit of the Forum on
China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) opens at the Great Hall of the
People in Beijing, Nov. 4, 2006. Leaders or representatives of
China, 48 African countries and the African Union Commission
attended the two-day summit, focusing on "friendship, peace,
cooperation and development". (Xinhua Photo)?
The landmark Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa
Cooperation (FOCAC) opened Saturday morning, during which Chinese
President Hu Jintao announced a package of major assistance,
investment, trade and other key cooperation projects with Africa in
an effort to forge a new type of strategic partnership.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Hu listed eight steps China
will take in coming years: to double its 2006 assistance to Africa
by 2009, to provide 3 billion U.S. dollars of preferential loans
and 2 billion dollars of preferential buyer's credits to Africa in
the next three years, to establish a special fund of 5 billion
dollars to encourage Chinese investment in Africa and to cancel
some debts owed by the heavily indebted poor countries and the
least developed countries in Africa that have diplomatic ties with
China.
The Chinese president also offered a five-point proposal to
cement closer bilateral ties, saying China will deepen political
relations of equality and mutual trust with Africa, broaden win-win
economic cooperation, expand exchanges for cultural enrichment and
promote balanced and harmonious global development.
China and Africa will also strengthen cooperation and mutual
support in international affairs, he said, adding "Without peace
and development in China and Africa, there will be no global peace
and development."
Hu said China and Africa enjoy trust and cooperate closely to
uphold the legitimate rights and interests of the developing world,
adding China has firmly supported Africa in winning liberation and
pursuing development, and it has also received great support from
African countries.
President Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of Congo that
chairs the African Union for the 2006 session, expressed Africa's
appreciation to China for its announcement of eight new actions,
noting "The Chinese government has, as always, fulfilled its
commitment and the African people have benefited a lot from China's
generosity."
Prime Minister Ato Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia that co-chairs the
forum said the China-Africa partnership, forged 50 years ago, must
be renewed to address immediate challenges of fighting poverty and
backwardness and seeking economic independence.
Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong and Vice Premier Wu Yi were
also present at the opening ceremony of the summit highlighting
"friendship, peace, cooperation and development".
FOCAC, launched in 2000, is a mechanism for collective dialogue
and cooperation jointly established by China and Africa to cope
with new challenges and facilitate common development.
Later Saturday, the High-level Dialogue and 2nd Conference of
Chinese and African Entrepreneurs opened at the Great Hall of the
People, where Premier Wen Jiabao proposed China and Africa fully
tap cooperation potential and strive to bring their trade volume to
100 billion dollars by 2010.
"Although China's trade has been running a deficit against
Africa in recent years, China still hopes to further expand its
import from African countries," Wen said.
He said both sides should work closer in service sectors,
tourism, finance and telecommunications in particular, to cultivate
new economic growth points and facilitate trade in a more balanced
and healthier manner.
"We will also encourage capable Chinese companies to invest in
the trade and economic cooperation zones in Africa," he said.
"African companies interested in investing in China are
welcome."
Wen said China will increase the number of scholarships to
African students and will train 15,000 African professionals over
the coming three years to help the construction of African
countries.
In the evening, a grand welcoming banquet and a performing gala
were given in honor of the visiting African guests.
On Sunday, the China-Africa Joint Chamber of Commerce will be
set up, with an aim to enhance cooperation between business circles
of China and Africa.
(Xinhua News Agency November 5, 2006)
