Forum ushers in new era in China-Africa cooperation: Premier Wen

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, December 15, 2003

Forum ushers in new era in China-Africa cooperation: Premier Wen

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The establishment of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum three years ago has ushered in a new era of cooperation between China and African nations, Chinese premier Wen Jiabao said Monday in Addis Ababa.

"The past three years since then have witnessed steady growthand remarkable achievements of cooperation between China and Africa on all fronts. Our friendship and mutual trust are strongerand deeper. Our cooperation on international affairs has been constructive and fruitful. Our trade and economic cooperation are growing with a more robust momentum," the premier said at the opening ceremony of the Second Ministerial Conference of the forum.

Wen said China has taken further measures to increase its imports from African countries, and that trade volume between China and Africa has been increasing at an annual rate of more than 20 percent.

Over the last three years, China has also invested 117 new enterprises in Africa. Sino-African cooperation in energy development and hi-tech industries is getting off the ground, he said.

Sino-African cooperation in human resources development is on the upswing. China has sponsored a variety of training programs and trained nearly 7,000 African personnel of a wide range of professions, the Chinese premier said.

"The Chinese government has fulfilled ahead of schedule its debt exemption commitments and canceled 31 African countries' debts totaling 10.5 billion RMB yuan," Wen said.

"The Forum follow-up activities have been implemented as a strong support to the brotherly African nations and people in their endeavors to overcome difficulties and realize national rejuvenation and development, testifying to the broad prospect andstrong vitality of China-Africa friendship and cooperation under the new historical conditions," he said.

Int'l community urged to help developing countries benefit from globalization

The international community should take steps to help the developing countries overcome difficulties and benefit from the process of globalization, Premier Wen said.

"We maintain that the developing countries should benefit from the process of globalization, instead of being marginalized," Wen said at the opening ceremony of the Second Ministerial Conference of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum.

"The international community should take steps to help them overcome difficulties, and enhance their capacity for self-improvement, environmental protection and sustainable development," Wen noted.

The developed countries have the obligation and responsibility to further open their markets, eliminate trade barriers and farm subsidies, and earnestly fulfill their commitments to developing countries through more aid and debt relief, said the Chinese premier.

Wen said "the Chinese government supports and will actively participate in the North-South dialogue."

"China is ready to coordinate its positions with African countries in the process of international economic rules formulation and multilateral trade negotiations, with a view to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries," Wen added.

The Second Ministerial Conference of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum kicked off here on Monday morning, aiming to greatly improve the all-around cooperation between China and African countries.

Highlighted by the action-oriented spirit, it is the first ministerial conference of the forum to be held on the African continent, and will be a significant event in the Sino-African relationship.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, his host counterpart Meles Zenawi and a dozen of African heads of state or government attended the opening ceremony.

Also present are Chinese and African foreign ministers and ministers in charge of international economic cooperation.

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