Sino-African RelationsHaving withstood the test of a long-term changeful international situation, Sino-African relations now serve as an excellent model for the cooperation that can be achieved among developing countries.With frequent high-level contact between their top leaders, China and African countries have forged close political ties. Chinese President Jiang Zemin, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress(NPC) Li Peng, Premier of the State Council Zhu Rongji, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC) Li Ruihuan, Vice-President Hu Jintao, have all visited Africa. Since 1997, about 30 senior African officials have visited China. The two sides reached a consensus with regard to developing Sino-African relations toward the 21st century based upon long-term stability and all-around cooperation. China and some African countries have also had extensive exchanges among parliaments and political parties. China and Africa have increased consultations and mutual support in international affairs. On human rights and other important issues, both sides have cooperated closely to protect the developing countries' legitimate rights and interests and promote the establishment of a just and rational new international political and economic order. Most African countries support the peaceful reunification of China and steadfastly adhere to the principle that there is only one China. To enhance consultation and cooperation, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has established a system for ministerial-level talks with the foreign ministries of 10 African countries. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation - Ministerial Conference Beijing 2000, which opens tomorrow morning, will be the first collective dialogue between China and Africa, and will lay new ground for the development of Sino-African relations in the 21st century. In terms of trade and economic relations, China has provided aid to many African countries to help boost their national economic and social development, and has reaped remarkable achievements. These African countries have expressed their appreciation for China's contributions. In the past several years, Sino-African relations in the trade and economic sector have continued to develop. On the basis of equality and reciprocity, the Chinese government has vigorously created new means, channels and fields to foster its economic cooperation with Africa. While continuing to offer Africa possible economic aid without any political conditions attached, China encourages and supports enterprises of China and Africa to carry out direct cooperation, including cooperation in projects funded by China. Meanwhile, according to international practice, the Chinese government has provided loans at preferential terms to encourage overseas processing trade so as to increase the efficiency of government aid and expand bilateral cooperation. This undertaking has seen initial results, with trade volume of the two sides reaching 6.5 billion US dollars in 1999. China and Africa have also maintained a promising momentum in developing their cooperation in education, public health and culture. The two sides have intensified cooperation in tapping human resources. In addition to scholarships provided to African students in China, a variety of research and training courses have been offered by the Chinese government to help train specialized personnel for African countries. The Sino-African Research Course for Economic Officials, the Training Course for Senior African Diplomats and the Training Course for Middle and Young-aged African Diplomats each have been held five times. Chinese medical workers and teachers sent to Africa have also been warmly welcomed there. |
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