FM's African tour promotes mutual beneficial relations
0 
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Wednesday ended his official visits to five African countries -- Zimbabwe, Gabon, Guinea, Togo and Chad.
Yang's African tour during the Chinese New Year has helped deepen the traditional Sino-African friendship, and has significant meaning for promoting pragmatic cooperation, sharing opportunities and pursuing common development between China and Africa.
For over 20 years, African countries have been on the list of destinations for Chinese foreign ministers' first visits at the beginning of every year. This practice shows the deep and traditional friendship between China and Africa, and reflects the importance of Sino-African cooperation in China's foreign policy.
Yang's visit, which came at the beginning of a second decade of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), is expected to further consolidate the fruitful results of the decade-old FOCAC.
Since its launch in October 2000, the forum has formed into a multi-level dialogue mechanism, and witnessed the establishment of a solid cooperation system that covers political, economic, social and cultural fields, among others. China and Africa have supported each other in major international issues and bilateral affairs, and have continuously deepened their political mutual trust.
Over the past decade, the scale of China's aid for Africa has grown 10 folds. Currently, China is Africa's biggest trade partner, and Africa is China's fourth biggest overseas investment destination.
As a banner guiding the development of Sino-African relations, in the new era, FOCAC takes on the task of promoting faster and better development of the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership.
During his visit, Yang said China is willing to use FOCAC as an important platform for collective dialogues and an effective mechanism for pragmatic cooperation, and continuously push forward the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership featuring political equality and mutual trust, economic win-win cooperation and cultural exchanges, and further promote world peace, stability and development as well as common development of China and Africa.
Abiding by the principles of sincerity and friendliness, equality, mutual benefits and common development, China has been focusing on helping Africa improve its ability of self-development and sustainable development, and has expanded its aid for Africa according to China's own capability, which has won extensive appreciation from African countries.
At the same time, the Chinese government supports Chinese enterprises to establish business in Africa, with Chinese investment in Africa growing rapidly. This mode of win-win cooperation has been widely welcomed by African countries.
During Yang's visit, leaders of the five African countries all praised China's contribution to Africa's development, and expressed hope that China can further expand its investment in the continent.
Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said the China- Zimbabwe cooperation in various fields have achieved fruitful results, and that China's aid for Zimbabwe has brought tangible benefit for the Zimbabwean people.
Gabon's President Ali Bongo said China's development means important opportunity for Gabon, and that great potential lies in the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. He said Gabon welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the country.
Guinea's President Alpha Conde said during his term in office, his country will carry out comprehensive and win-win cooperation with China.
Meanwhile, China takes all African countries as good friends, brothers and partners, regardless of their distance from China, their national strength and their development levels. The traditional friendship between China and Africa has stood the test of time and the ever changing international situation, while boosting new strength and energy.
By the end of 2009, China's direct investment to Africa has accumulated to 9.33 billion U.S. dollars, covering 49 African countries.
Strengthening cooperation with African countries is an important part of China's foreign policy, as well as China's long- term strategy. Yang's visit to five African countries has shown China's determination and confidence in promoting the development of FOCAC and pushing forward the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership.
Expanding pragmatic cooperation, achieving mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and enriching the Sino-African relations are not only the key engine to maintain the momentum of Sino-African cooperation, but also will create endless impetus for deepening political mutual trust and traditional friendship between China and Africa.
Go to Forum >>0 Comments