China-Africa Cooperation Forum Closes in BeijingThe China-Africa Cooperation Forum -- Ministerial Meeting Beijing 2000 closed Thursday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and Secretary General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Salim Ahmed Salim attended the closing ceremony. Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen, State Councilor Wu Yi and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan were also present. The Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng presided over the closing ceremony. In his speech titled "Strengthen Solidarity, Enhance Cooperation and Pursue Common Development", Premier Zhu extended congratulations on the successful convening of the forum on behalf of the Chinese government. He called the forum an unprecedented important event in the history of Sino-African relations, which he said has outlined a blueprint for Sino-African cooperation and will push such cooperation to a new stage. "This forum marks an important milestone and will inevitably enter the glorious annals of China-Africa friendship and cooperation", Zhu said. He pointed that as mankind is about to enter a new era, it is more imperative and important than ever for China and Africa to strengthen their cooperation in all fields. The premier stressed the importance of economic and trade cooperation in Sino-African relations. "Our closer cooperation in this area will enable us to give full play to our respective advantages, speed up our economic development and help us shake off poverty and backwardness to the benefit of all our people," he said. According to the premier, strengthened economic ties will also help China and African countries increase their international competitiveness, put them in a better position in globalization and safeguard their economic security. It will also enhance South-South cooperation, improve the standing of developing countries in North-South dialog and facilitate the establishment of a fair and just international political and economic order. The premier stressed the importance of "new thinking" in developing Sino-African economic ties, saying "we should enhance and upgrade this cooperation by orienting ourselves towards the market and improving coordination between governments and enterprises with the latter being the main players." Sino-African economic cooperation should follow the principles of "equality and mutual benefit, diversity in form, stress on practical results and pursuit of common development", Zhu said. The Chinese premier put forward a proposal on furthering Sino-African economic ties, calling for the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers and the creation of better market access to each other. On the part of China, he said the Chinese government will encourage Chinese enterprises to give preference to African goods in their imports when all other conditions are the same so as to improve trade balance between China and African countries. China will also set up special funds and take other incentives to encourage its enterprises to invest in Africa in export-oriented processing industries, natural resources exploration and other sectors, he said. The premier announced that China will continue to offer assistance to Africa within its means, including assistance gratis, concessional loans and interest-free loans. He called for the expansion of Sino-African cooperation in agriculture, transportation, medical care and public health, and the exploration and exploitation of natural resources, and the strengthening of cooperation in finance and information technology. The two sides should also enhance their cooperation and consultation in multilateral and regional organizations in order to safeguard the interests of both. Zhu pledged that China will implement its commitment to reduce or exempt part of Africa's debt owed to China and urged main creditor states and institutions to take concrete steps towards the solving of Africa's debt issue. The premier expressed the confidence that a more prosperous and strong China in the 21st century will not only benefit the Chinese people, but also contribute to closer economic and trade cooperation and friendly exchanges between China and African countries. OAU Secretary General Salim also spoke at the closing ceremony. The forum adopted Beijing Declaration and Program for China-Africa Cooperation in Economic and Social Development. |
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