African journalists covering the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Sunday said China's offer to increase assistance to Africa would inject new vitality to their development and China-Africa cooperation.

 

Some journalists spoke highly of China's new aid offers for Africa when President Hu Jintao addressed Saturday's opening ceremony of the landmark gathering in China-Africa history.

 

In the aid package, China offered preferential loans, debt exemptions, favorable tariff policies as well as training of personnel.

 

Artwell Karuru, a reporter working for Zimbabwean presidential office, told Xinhua that China's assistance to Africa is "sincere, selfless and without conditions," which has brought about "concrete benefits" to African countries and people.

 

He said in the past 26 years after Zimbabwe's independence, China has provided aid to projects in the country, including construction of roads, hospitals and stadiums.

 

He also praised Chinese government's promise to train professionals for Africa, quoting a Chinese proverb which goes "giving a man fish will keep him from starving today, but teaching a man how to fish will keep him from starving for life time."

 

Nigerian News Agency reporter Kola Oshiyemi said China took many concrete measures to help Africa. China will help build a 1,400-km railway with an investment of US$8.3 billion in Nigeria, which is another example of cooperation between Africa and China, he said.

 

"I think Nigeria should learn from China's development path and finally promote economic development in our own country," Oshiyemi noted.

 

The two-day Beijing Summit, highlighting "friendship, peace, cooperation and development," has drawn 41 heads of state or government and senior officials of 48 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China, as well as representatives from regional and international organizations.

 

FOCAC is a mechanism for collective dialogue and cooperation jointly established by China and Africa to cope with new challenges and facilitate common development.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 6, 2006)