China-Africa Cooperation Forum Opens in Beijing
Attending the opening ceremony were Chinese President Jiang Zemin, Vice-President Hu Jintao, four heads of African states and nearly 80 ministers of foreign and economic affairs from 45 African countries and leaders of international and regional organizations. The three-day meeting is initiated by the Chinese government upon proposals from African countries. It is an innovation in the history of Sino-African relations and that of the diplomacy of the People's Republic of China and marks an important effort by both sides to promote group dialog and mutual development. Chinese President Jiang Zemin, Vice-President Hu Jintao, Togolese President Gnassingbe Eyadema, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Zambian President Frederick Chiluba, Tanzanian President Benjamin William Mkapa, Secretary General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Salim Ahmed Salim were greeted with applause when they walked up the rostrum.
Chinese President Jiang Zemin delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony titled "China and Africa -- Usher in the New Century Together." He noted that the forum is the first of its kind in the history of Sino-African relations. Jiang said that China is the largest developing country in the world and Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries, and that at the turn of the millennium and the century, China and Africa are faced with both historical opportunities for greater development and unprecedented challenges. "At this important historical juncture, an in-depth discussion between us on how to strengthen cooperation and promote common development will undoubtedly exert a far-reaching important impact on the cross-century development of Sino-African relations, closer South-South Cooperation and the establishment of an equitable and just new international political and economic order," he said. After analyzing the current world situation, Jiang said, "It has been the demand of the times and call of the people all over the world to establish an equitable and just new international political and economic order. Let us work together with wisdom and courage to build such a new order and advance the lofty cause of peace and development for mankind." The Chinese president said the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the principles and spirit enshrined in the OAU Charter and other universally recognized norms governing international relations should form the political basis for the new international order. In the new international order, the right of all countries to sovereign equality and to freedom from outside interference in their internal affairs must be ensured to them, Jiang stressed. All countries should be ensured their right to participate in international affairs on an equal footing and to develop based on equality. It is especially important to ensure the right to development of developing countries, he said. All ethnic groups and civilizations should be ensured their right to common development, he said. Jiang hailed the great Sino-African friendship forged and nurtured by the older generation of Chinese leaders and forerunners of the African movement for national liberation and the fruitful cooperation between the two sides in the last half century on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. He recommended that the two sides continue to make concerted efforts to strengthen solidarity and promote South-South cooperation; enhance dialog and improve North-South relations; take part in international affairs on the basis of equality and in an enterprising spirit; and look forward into the future and establish a new long-term stable partnership of equality and mutual benefit. "To establish a fair and equitable new international political and economic order is a lofty cause benefiting all mankind. Despite twists and turns on the road ahead, there are bright prospects for this cause. So long as we work together tirelessly, we will surely achieve the great goals that we have been pursuing together and accomplish the lofty cause that we have been promoting," Jiang concluded. His speech was interrupted by warm applause. Togolese President and OAU chairman Gnassingbe Eyadema said China has always given support to African countries in international affairs. He said Africa used to, and will continue to, trust China and need it to exert influence in the U.N. Securities Council and promote peace and development on the African continent. Algerian President Bouteflika said that China is a responsible country on the international stage and that the Algerian people will never forget the support and encouragement they received from China during their struggle for national liberation. He expressed his appreciation of the cooperation between China and Algeria, saying it is the most effective among all relations of bilateral cooperation with Algeria. Zambian President Chiluba said China and Africa are united by fundamental values of freedom, sovereignty, equality, solidarity and mutual respect and an abiding commitment to promoting the development of a more peaceful, prosperous and just world order. He said the new world order should give equal rights and opportunities to all countries and give special attention to the interests of less developed countries. Chiluba called for solidarity among the developing world in their quest for a fair and just international economic order. "We must seize this opportunity to chart a clear, time-based program to challenge structures and institutions that stand against the establishment of a fair trading system in which all sections of humanity participate on an equal footing," he said. The Zambian president also made suggestions on strengthening Sino-African cooperation in agriculture and technology and the institution of a task force to organize a global development financing meeting. Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa said China is an all-weather friend of Tanzania and Africa, and that a new Sino-African partnership will help social and economic development in Africa. He said Africa and China will work together to build a new partnership to help African people fight against poverty, diseases, hunger and backwardness, and to deal with the challenges of economic globalization. He hailed the decision by China to reduce or exempt debts owed by some of the least developed African countries in the next two years. More than 800 Chinese officials, entrepreneurs and scholars, African ministers of foreign and economic affairs as well as leaders of international and regional organizations attended the opening ceremony. Chinese President Jiang Zemin met with African ministers of foreign and economic affairs and leaders of international and regional organizations before the opening ceremony. Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao, Vice-Premier Qian Qichen, State Councilor Wu Yi, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng were present during the meeting. | ||
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