State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and envoys of African countries
got together in Beijing Sunday, celebrating the first anniversary
of Beijing Summit of the China-Africa Cooperation
Forum.
Addressing a grand reception at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse,
Tang said the Beijing Summit has drawn up the blueprint for
China-Africa cooperation and opened a new chapter in the friendly
relations of the two sides.
State Councilor Tang
Jiaxuan addresses the celebration for the first anniversary of
Beijing Summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in Beijing,
Nov. 4, 2007.
Over the past year, various follow-up programs have been carried
out, Tang said, adding political trust has been strengthened and
substantial cooperation expanded.
To advance solidarity and cooperation with Africa is a long-term
strategic decision for China and a basic principle guiding China's
African policy, the state councilor said.
China will continue to join hands with African countries to
carry on the spirit of Beijing Summit, deepen traditional
friendship, promote common development and advance the new type of
China-Africa strategic partnership, he said.
Cameroonian Ambassador to China Eleih-Elle Etian, also dean of
the African Diplomatic Corps in China, regarded the Beijing Summit
as an innovative and historic conference, which laid a new
foundation for China's cooperation with African countries.
Cameroonian Ambassador
to China Eleih-Elle Etian, also dean of the African Diplomatic
Corps in China, addresses the celebration for the first anniversary
of Beijing Summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in Beijing,
Nov. 4, 2007.
He commended China's commitment to the implementation of eight
favorable policies toward Africa and the progress achieved so far
in carrying out the policies.
African countries are ready to work closely with China and push
forward China-Africa friendly cooperative ties to a new stage, the
ambassador said.
At the Beijing Summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in
November 2006, leaders of China and 48 African countries agreed to
establish and develop a new type of strategic partnership,
featuring political equality, mutual trust, mutually beneficial
economic cooperation and cultural exchanges.
Chinese President Hu Jintao announced at the summit eight steps
to consolidate the "new type of strategic partnership" between
China and Africa, including further opening China's markets to
exports from Africa's least developed countries by increasing the
number of products receiving zero-tariff treatment from 190 to
440.
The measures also include building three to five trade and
economic cooperation zones in Africa in the next three years,
providing US$3 billion in preferential loans and US$2 billion in
preferential buyer's credits to African countries and training
15,000 African professionals.
To implement the summit's commitment, Hu chose to visit eight
African countries as his first overseas tour at the beginning of
2007, followed by other Chinese leaders including top legislator Wu
Bangguo and top political advisor Jia Qinglin to the African
continent for closer China-Africa ties.
Besides, China appointed a special envoy on African affairs in
May, a measure that analysts consider as showing China's efforts to
promote peace and stability in the region.
According to statistics, trade volume between China and Africa
reached US$55.5 billion in 2006, up nearly 40 percent
year-on-year.
China is the third largest trade partner of Africa, while Africa
is an important destination of overseas investment made by Chinese
enterprises.
Representatives from
China and African countries attend the celebration for the first
anniversary of Beijing Summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum
in Beijing, Nov. 4, 2007.
"Increasing Chinese companies are attracted by the huge
potential of the African market and choose to invest there," said
Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Wei Jianguo, noting China's direct
investment to Africa totaled over US$13.5 billion by the end of
2006.
Wei said China would continue to help African countries improve
their development capability, calling on Chinese firms in Africa to
shoulder more social responsibility.
As one of the eight measures announced by Chinese President Hu
Jintao at the Beijing Summit, China set up a US$1-billion
China-African Development Fund in June, aiming to encourage Chinese
enterprises to expand investment in Africa and promote the
continent's economic expansion.
"China always emphasizes African countries' development and is
capable of providing them with technologies to reduce poverty and
experiences of boosting economy," said Liu Naiya, a researcher on
African affairs with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
"The China-Africa Cooperation Forum mechanism has became a flag
guiding the friendship between China and African nations,"
Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun said Sunday.
China would like to join hands with African friends to
comprehensively implement various consensus achieved on the summit
and push forward the new type of China-Africa strategic
partnership, Zhai said.
(Xinhua News Agency November 5, 2007)
