Xi says China will help Africa to grow richer
Source: Agencies |
March 26, 2013, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
Chinese President Xi Jinping has told Africans he wants a relationship of equals that would help the continent develop and hailed the strength of ties with the continent's nations.
On the first stop on an African tour that will include a BRICS summit of major emerging economies, Xi told Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete that China's involvement in Africa would help the continent grow richer.
"China sincerely hopes to see faster development in African countries and a better life for African people," Xi said in a keynote speech laying out China's policy on Africa, delivered at a conference center in Dar es Salaam built by China.
Renewing an offer of US$20 billion of loans to Africa between 2013 and 2015, Xi pledged to "help African countries turn resource endowment into development strength and achieve independent and sustainable development."
"China will continue to offer, as always, necessary assistance to Africa with no political strings attached," Xi said to applause. "We get on well and treat each others as equals."
"We each view the other's development as our own opportunity, and we each seek to promote the other's development and prosperity," Xi added.
"China insists on equality among all countries irrespective of their size, strength and wealth. China upholds justice, and opposes the practice of the big bullying the small, the strong lording over the weak, and rich oppressing the poor."
Hailing resource-rich Africa as a "continent of hope and promise," Xi addressed leaders in Tanzania's economic capital as "my dear friends" and spoke of China's "sincere friendship" with Africa.
Countering concerns
"Africa belongs to the African people," Xi said. "In developing relations with Africa, all countries should respect Africa's dignity and independence."
Trade between China and Africa reached some US$200 billion last year, he said, adding that China would "intensify not weaken" its relationship.
Countering concerns that Africa is not benefiting from developing skills or technology from Chinese investment, Xi said China would train 30,000 African professionals, offer 18,000 scholarships to African students and "increase technology transfer and experience."
"The Sino-Tanzania relationship has endured a lot," said Tanzania's Kikwete, whose nation built close ties with China in the early years after independence from the British in 1964. "Now we have become all-weather friends."
The two leaders witnessed the signing of trade and other deals, including plans to co-develop a new port and industrial zone complex, a loan for communications infrastructure and an interest free loan to the government.
China is the second-largest foreign investor in Tanzania, with stakes in agriculture, coal, iron ore and infrastructure.
"We have no doubt that the people of China will continue to work with the people of Africa," Kikwete said, dismissing those who still feared China's role "despite the end of the Cold War."
"So far, China has been a dependable supporter and an ally of African countries and other Third World countries ... in their appeal for a just and equitable world economic order," Kikwete added.
African resources
Lu Shaye, head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's African affairs department, said it was the West which was only interested in African resources, not China.
"What have Western countries done for Africa in the 50 years since independence? Nothing. All they have done is criticise China and that is unfair," he told a Hong Kong television station.
Xi left yesterday afternoon for Durban in South Africa.
In South Africa, where two-way trade totalled US$59.9 billion last year - nearly a third of total China-Africa trade - he will hold talks with President Jacob Zuma and join the leaders of Brazil, India, Russia and South Africa at the BRICS summit being held today and tomorrow.
At the summit, Xi could endorse plans for a joint foreign exchange reserves pool and an infrastructure bank. The proposals respond to frustrations among emerging markets at having to rely on the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, which are seen as reflecting the interests of the US and other industrialized nations.
On the first stop on an African tour that will include a BRICS summit of major emerging economies, Xi told Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete that China's involvement in Africa would help the continent grow richer.
"China sincerely hopes to see faster development in African countries and a better life for African people," Xi said in a keynote speech laying out China's policy on Africa, delivered at a conference center in Dar es Salaam built by China.
Renewing an offer of US$20 billion of loans to Africa between 2013 and 2015, Xi pledged to "help African countries turn resource endowment into development strength and achieve independent and sustainable development."
"China will continue to offer, as always, necessary assistance to Africa with no political strings attached," Xi said to applause. "We get on well and treat each others as equals."
"We each view the other's development as our own opportunity, and we each seek to promote the other's development and prosperity," Xi added.
"China insists on equality among all countries irrespective of their size, strength and wealth. China upholds justice, and opposes the practice of the big bullying the small, the strong lording over the weak, and rich oppressing the poor."
Hailing resource-rich Africa as a "continent of hope and promise," Xi addressed leaders in Tanzania's economic capital as "my dear friends" and spoke of China's "sincere friendship" with Africa.
Countering concerns
"Africa belongs to the African people," Xi said. "In developing relations with Africa, all countries should respect Africa's dignity and independence."
Trade between China and Africa reached some US$200 billion last year, he said, adding that China would "intensify not weaken" its relationship.
Countering concerns that Africa is not benefiting from developing skills or technology from Chinese investment, Xi said China would train 30,000 African professionals, offer 18,000 scholarships to African students and "increase technology transfer and experience."
"The Sino-Tanzania relationship has endured a lot," said Tanzania's Kikwete, whose nation built close ties with China in the early years after independence from the British in 1964. "Now we have become all-weather friends."
The two leaders witnessed the signing of trade and other deals, including plans to co-develop a new port and industrial zone complex, a loan for communications infrastructure and an interest free loan to the government.
China is the second-largest foreign investor in Tanzania, with stakes in agriculture, coal, iron ore and infrastructure.
"We have no doubt that the people of China will continue to work with the people of Africa," Kikwete said, dismissing those who still feared China's role "despite the end of the Cold War."
"So far, China has been a dependable supporter and an ally of African countries and other Third World countries ... in their appeal for a just and equitable world economic order," Kikwete added.
African resources
Lu Shaye, head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's African affairs department, said it was the West which was only interested in African resources, not China.
"What have Western countries done for Africa in the 50 years since independence? Nothing. All they have done is criticise China and that is unfair," he told a Hong Kong television station.
Xi left yesterday afternoon for Durban in South Africa.
In South Africa, where two-way trade totalled US$59.9 billion last year - nearly a third of total China-Africa trade - he will hold talks with President Jacob Zuma and join the leaders of Brazil, India, Russia and South Africa at the BRICS summit being held today and tomorrow.
At the summit, Xi could endorse plans for a joint foreign exchange reserves pool and an infrastructure bank. The proposals respond to frustrations among emerging markets at having to rely on the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, which are seen as reflecting the interests of the US and other industrialized nations.
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