China calls for proper settlement of problems in cooperation with Africa
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E-mail Xinhua, May 4, 2014
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called on China and Africa to properly deal with problems in bilateral cooperation in a joint interview with African media.
Li will pay official visits to Ethiopia, Nigeria, Angola and Kenya from May 4 to 11. This is the first time for Li to visit Africa since taking office in 2013.
In a press release published on Sunday, Li urged Chinese companies to strictly abide by local laws and regulations, hold themselves accountable to the quality of the contracted projects and goods and to consumers and shoulder due responsibility to local communities and the environment.
As China-Africa relations grow rapidly in all areas, companies of the two sides have encountered "growing pains" and some new problems in their cooperation that call for proper settlement, he said.
The Chinese government takes these issues very seriously. Instead of dodging or covering them up, China is willing to sit down with African countries and resolve these issues through earnest consultation in the spirit of mutual respect, pragmatism and efficiency, he said.
He reiterated that China will continue to carry out cooperation with Africa under the principle of sincerity, equality and mutual benefit.
He also called on relevant African countries to strengthen market regulation and public security measures and protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies in Africa and the safety of their employees.
Problems, after all, are isolated cases in the whole picture of China-Africa cooperation. In recent years, the deepening of cooperation has been the mainstream and general trend, said the premier.
In 2013, China-Africa trade reached 210 billion U.S. dollars, 2,000 times that of 1960. China has been Africa's biggest trading partner for five years running. More than 2,500 Chinese companies are operating in Africa, creating over 100,000 jobs for the local communities.
Last year, the over 1.4 million visits by Chinese travelers generated huge amount of exchange revenue for Africa.
According to an IMF report, China-Africa cooperation has contributed to more than 20 percent of Africa's development.
The "China factor" has been more and more evident in Africa's development. China-Africa cooperation has brought real benefits to peoples of both sides and holds broad prospects, said Li. Endi
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