China's growing trade with Africa will not cause imbalance in
Africa's trade structure or hurt its economic interests, said top
political advisor Jia Qinglin on Tuesday.
Addressing more than 400 officials and entrepreneurs at the
opening ceremony of the China-Kenya Economic and Commercial
Cooperation Forum, Jia said statistics show that since its reform
and opening-up program began, China has contributed to 14 percent
of annual world economic growth.
Foreign investors have made substantial returns on their
investment in China and overseas investment by Chinese enterprises
has created nearly 10 million job opportunities for recipient
countries and regions, Jia noted.
"It is estimated that about 20 percent of Africa's economic
growth is attributable to China' s trade with Africa," said the
chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's
Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), who arrived in Nairobi
Monday on an official good-will visit.
He said China has made a total investment of US$11.7 billion and
completed nearly 900 projects in Africa by the end of 2006.
In a speech to the forum, Vice President of Kenya Moody Awori
said the East African country encourages Chinese enterprises to
exploit investment opportunities in Africa.
"There are over 67 Chinese enterprises operating in Kenya in
various fields ranging from manufacturing, construction,
agriculture, import and export, retailing, to tourism, and
catering," said Awori.
"This is a good beginning and we welcome more Chinese
enterprises to follow suit," he said.
Kenya is the final leg of Jia's visit to four African countries,
which has already taken him to Tunisia, Ghana and Zimbabwe.
(Xinhua News Agency April 25, 2007)
