Loans to African countries to double
By Wang Yanlin |
July 20, 2012, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
China is to double its lending to African countries to US$20 billion over the next three years, President Hu Jintao announced yesterday.
The new loans will be for infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing and the development of small and medium-sized businesses, he said during the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing.
"China wholeheartedly supports African countries to choose their own development path and will wholeheartedly support them to raise their development ability," Hu told the conference attended by top African leaders.
"China and Africa should increase coordination and cooperation in international affairs," Hu said. "We should oppose the practices of the big bullying the small, the strong domineering over the weak and the rich oppressing the poor."
In the three years since 2009, China lent US$10 billion, as offered in 2009 at the last forum held in Egypt, to African countries, and provided a string of aid and credit to many of the continent's poverty-stricken nations.
Hu said China will take measures in five priority areas to support peace and development in Africa. They are investment, technology transfers, African integration, friendship exchanges and peace-keeping cooperation.
China will build more agricultural technology demonstration centers to help African countries increase production capacity and an "African Talents Program" will be launched to train 30,000 people in various sectors and offer 18,000 government scholarships.
The president said China will also send 1,500 medical workers to Africa, and continue to carry out the "Brightness Action" campaign which provides free treatment for cataract patients.
China will help African countries build more meteorological infrastructure and enhance forest protection and management, and will carry out more well-drilling and water supply projects to make drinking water safer for Africans.
In addition, Hu proposed the setting up of a "China-Africa Press Exchange Center" in China to encourage exchanges and visits between members of the Chinese and African media.
"China will continue to steadfastly stand together with the African people, and will forever be a good friend, a good partner and a good brother," Hu said at the summit which has been held every three years since 2000.
China's friendship with Africa dates back to the 1950s when China supported liberation movements in the continent to win independence.
Shen Dingli, executive dean of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University, said: "China's efforts to support growth in Africa have a long history and the good relationships are not built in a day."
African countries appreciate China's "non-strings" approach in the giving of aid.
"We are particularly pleased that in the relationships with China we are equals," South African President Jacob Zuma said.
"We certainly are convinced that China's intention is different to that of Europe, which to date continues to tend to influence African countries for their sole benefit," he added.
The new loans will be for infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing and the development of small and medium-sized businesses, he said during the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing.
"China wholeheartedly supports African countries to choose their own development path and will wholeheartedly support them to raise their development ability," Hu told the conference attended by top African leaders.
"China and Africa should increase coordination and cooperation in international affairs," Hu said. "We should oppose the practices of the big bullying the small, the strong domineering over the weak and the rich oppressing the poor."
In the three years since 2009, China lent US$10 billion, as offered in 2009 at the last forum held in Egypt, to African countries, and provided a string of aid and credit to many of the continent's poverty-stricken nations.
Hu said China will take measures in five priority areas to support peace and development in Africa. They are investment, technology transfers, African integration, friendship exchanges and peace-keeping cooperation.
China will build more agricultural technology demonstration centers to help African countries increase production capacity and an "African Talents Program" will be launched to train 30,000 people in various sectors and offer 18,000 government scholarships.
The president said China will also send 1,500 medical workers to Africa, and continue to carry out the "Brightness Action" campaign which provides free treatment for cataract patients.
China will help African countries build more meteorological infrastructure and enhance forest protection and management, and will carry out more well-drilling and water supply projects to make drinking water safer for Africans.
In addition, Hu proposed the setting up of a "China-Africa Press Exchange Center" in China to encourage exchanges and visits between members of the Chinese and African media.
"China will continue to steadfastly stand together with the African people, and will forever be a good friend, a good partner and a good brother," Hu said at the summit which has been held every three years since 2000.
China's friendship with Africa dates back to the 1950s when China supported liberation movements in the continent to win independence.
Shen Dingli, executive dean of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University, said: "China's efforts to support growth in Africa have a long history and the good relationships are not built in a day."
African countries appreciate China's "non-strings" approach in the giving of aid.
"We are particularly pleased that in the relationships with China we are equals," South African President Jacob Zuma said.
"We certainly are convinced that China's intention is different to that of Europe, which to date continues to tend to influence African countries for their sole benefit," he added.
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