Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Jianchao Friday refuted claims
of China's so-called "new colonialism" in Africa, stressing that
China-Africa relations are based on equal footing, mutual respect
and reciprocity.
"No African government or people have ever blamed China for
practicing 'new colonialism' in Africa. The African people were
once enslaved by colonists and they know better than anyone else
what colonialism is all about," Liu said at a press briefing.
The political relations between China and Africa are based on
equality, mutual trust and non-interference in others' internal
affairs, he said on the eve of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on
China-Africa Cooperation.
Sino-African economic ties are based on equality, mutual
benefits and common prosperity, whereas their cultural exchanges
are carried out on the basis of mutual respect and are aimed at
referring to each others' experiences, he added.
So how can such relations be called "colonialism"? The Chinese
are never to blame for practicing colonialism in Africa, said
Liu.
The African governments and peoples all speak highly of
relations with China and are thankful for the aid and help China
has extended to boost the continent's political, economic and
social development over the past decades.
In seeking a new strategic partnership with Africa, China's
ultimate goal is to achieve common development, improve the living
standards of the Chinese and the Africans and subsequently promote
world peace and prosperity, he said.
Against the backdrop of globalization, enhanced cooperation
between China and Africa will enable the two sides to take the new
opportunities and to join hands in tackling the challenges. "Africa
needs China. And China needs Africa as well," said Liu.
Liu hoped those narrow-minded people, who blame China-Africa
relations, look upon the relations with a broader vision, and work
together with the Chinese and African sides to boost Africa's
development and contribute to the prosperity of Africa and the
world at large.
(Xinhua News Agency November 4, 2006)
