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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, November 21, 2001

China to Develop Long-Term Partnership with Africa

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said Tuesday that China wants to develop a new type of friendly cooperation with African countries. To reach this goal, two parties need to strenghten long-term partnership in all aspects.


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Developing a New Type of Cooperation

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said Tuesday that China wants to develop a new type of friendly cooperation with African countries.

In the new century, both China and African countries want to encourage a new political and economic order in the world, Zhang said at a routine news briefing.

Last year, China and African countries organized the "China-Africa Cooperation Forum -- Ministerial Conference Beijing 2000", a means by which a stable, equal and mutual beneficial friendship could be established between all parties, Zhang said.

While implementing proposals made during the forum, China and the African countries further developed their good relations.

Strenghtening Relationship through all Means

  • Exchange visits were given a high profile. Since the beginning of this year, presidents or premiers from seven African countries have visited China while Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Vice President Hu Jintao have visited African countries.

  • China and African countries have strengthened consultation on international affairs, supported each other and jointly safeguarded the legitimate interests of developing countries, Zhang said.

  • Meanwhile, China has fulfilled the promise made during the China-Africa Cooperation Forum to hasten the procedure for debt exemption for African countries, having signed protocols of debt exemption with 21 African countries, Zhang said.

  • In addition, China has enlarged the human resources training programs in relevant African countries and has increased aid to African countries within its own means, she said.

  • In 2000, the trade volume between China and African countries reached a record high of 10 billion US dollars. Since October 2000,China has launched 58 companies in African countries. Since the beginning of this year, China and African countries have signed construction projects to the value of 1.672 billion US dollars, Zhang said.

    All parties have decided to improve the follow-up to the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, she said.

    The efforts made by all parties would add new vigor to the already friendly relations between China and African countries, Zhang said.



    A Long-term Stable China-Africa Relationship Of All-round Cooperation

    In the 50 years or more since the founding of the People's Republic, the relations between China and African countries have consolidated and developed, and have withstood the tests of time and international vicissitudes. They have thus developed between them a new-type state-to-state relationship of sharing weal and woe, equality and mutual benefit, sincere friendship and all-round cooperation.

    This relationship had developed roughly in two stages between 1949 and 1999.

    The first stage covered the period between 1949 and 1979.

    The second stage covered the period between 1979 and 1999.

    Sources from: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/5722.html




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