A new agreement between China and many African countries should
go a long way towards furthering ties and trade, benefiting African
residents.
?
After two days of intensive talks, delegates at the Second
Ministerial Conference of the
China-Africa Cooperation Forum agreed on the Addis Ababa Action
Plan (2004-06) on Monday.
The plan aims to promote cooperation in a wide range of fields
between China and numerous African countries.
At the same time, on the sidelines of the conference, a
three-day China-African business meeting, which attracted more than
200 entrepreneurs from China and 250 from Africa, also concluded
with the signing of agreements or memorandums of understanding on
20 projects in Africa, totaling US$680 million, forum organizers
said.
Hailing the China-Africa forum as a great step forward in
relations between China and African officials, Chinese
Vice-Commerce Minister Wei Jianguo said the conference will inject
fresh strength and vitality to Sino-African co-operation.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the ministerial conference,
he called on all countries involved to implement the consensus
reached and adopt practical measures to turn the action plan into
reality.
The action plan will serve as a guideline for cooperation
between the two sides throughout the next three years.
According to the plan, China and Africa will seek to strengthen
collaboration in political affairs, peace and stability issues,
multilateral cooperation, economic and social development and
follow-up mechanisms.
Concerning the complexity of non-traditional security issues,
such as terrorism, illegal migration, infectious diseases and
natural disasters, the delegates agreed to address them with an
integrated approach of political, economic, legal, scientific and
technological views.
China supports Africa's efforts to prevent and combat terrorism,
including the adoption of a counter-terrorism convention and the
establishment of an anti-terrorism studies and research center, the
action plan notes.
In economic and trade development, China and the African
countries agreed to look at furthering relations connected with
agriculture, infrastructure construction, two-way trade,
investment, tourism cooperation, debt relief, development
assistance and natural resources and energy development.
Leaders hail strong friendship
Meanwhile, leaders from African countries were unanimous in
their desire to strengthen ties with China and China's
entrepreneurs.
In the last leg of a four-country tour, Premier Wen Jiabao met
with 13 African leaders during the Second Ministerial Conference of
the China-Africa Co-operation Forum.
The participation of so many African leaders shows the
importance they attach both to dialogue and to the profound
friendship between Chinese and African people, Wen said.
China and African countries can develop relationships based on
mutual respect and trust; moreover, China is prepared to enhance
South-South co-operation and promote bilateral relations, Wen
added.
With similar views in regards to many major international issues
and with a common belief in co-operation, China and African
countries can work together for world peace and development, he
noted.
Forty years of fruitful co-operation and friendship between
Congo and China have established a solid foundation for the two
countries to expand co-operation, said Denis Sassou, president of
the Republic of Congo.
Supporting China's great course of reunification, President of
Mozambique Joaquim Alberto Chissano told Wen lots of Chinese
companies have participated in the construction of railways,
hospitals, housing and other infrastructure projects in his
country.
After a four-nation tour to the United States, Canada, Mexico
and Ethiopia, Premier Wen is scheduled to return to Beijing
today.
(China Daily December 17, 2003)