Xi says China's a friend to all African countries
Source: Agencies |
March 25, 2013, Monday
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CHINA'S President Xi Jinping jetted into Tanzania yesterday at the start of a three-nation Africa tour that will highlight long-lasting Sino-African friendships.
Xi flew into the east African nation's economic capital Dar es Salaam from Moscow, the opening stage of his first foreign trip since he was elected president.
The Chinese president had talks with his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete on bilateral cooperation.
After their talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of some 20 trade, development and cultural accords between the two countries.
"China-Africa cooperation is comprehensive," Xi said ahead of the trip, adding that Beijing valued "friendly relationships with all African countries, no matter whether they are big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor."
In a joint interview with reporters from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa last week, Xi said: "No matter how international landscape may change, China will continue to support and promote Africa's efforts to achieve peace, stability, prosperity and development, seek strength through unity and participate in international affairs on the basis of equality.
"No matter whether it is rich or poor in resources, China treats it equally and actively carries out pragmatic cooperation that benefits both sides," he said.
China is the second-largest foreign investor in Tanzania, with stakes in agriculture, coal, iron ore and infrastructure.
"Xi's decision to visit Tanzania first suggests that China is not merely interested in short-term economic gains, but that it is interested in developing with African countries," said Frans-Paul van der Putten, senior research fellow at the Netherlands Institute of International Relations.
China has built roads, railways, and landmark buildings across Africa.
"China is what we call an all-weather friend," said Tanzania teacher Mwajuma Swai before Xi's arrival. "They don't flip-flop like the West and they don't give us a string of conditions for aid and trade."
Emerging economies
Today, the Chinese president will deliver his first policy speech on Africa.
He will then head to Durban, South Africa for a summit of leaders of the world's major emerging economies, known as the BRICS, tomorrow and Wednesday, and could endorse plans to create a joint foreign exchange reserves pool and an infrastructure.
The proposal underscores 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 United States and other industrialized nations.
Chinese imports from Africa soared 20-fold in a decade to reach US$113 billion last year, according to Chinese government statistics, and China became the continent's largest trading partner in 2009.
Highlighting the changing relationship, Beijing hosted a summit of 48 African leaders in 2006.
In South Africa, where two-way trade totalled US$59.9 billion last year - nearly one-third of total China-Africa trade - Xi will also hold talks with President Jacob Zuma.
He wraps up the African tour with a visit to Congo-Brazzaville.
China has lent oil-rich Congo-Brazzaville billions of dollars under a series of agreements, financing a 500 kilometer road linking the capital to commercial hub Pointe-Noire, a 120-megawatt hydroelectric dam and other projects.
A presidential source said that Brazzaville considered China an "essential partner" and their relationship "immaculate."
More than 2,000 Chinese companies operate in 50 African countries, with some 85 percent of their staff Africans.
Xi flew into the east African nation's economic capital Dar es Salaam from Moscow, the opening stage of his first foreign trip since he was elected president.
The Chinese president had talks with his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete on bilateral cooperation.
After their talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of some 20 trade, development and cultural accords between the two countries.
"China-Africa cooperation is comprehensive," Xi said ahead of the trip, adding that Beijing valued "friendly relationships with all African countries, no matter whether they are big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor."
In a joint interview with reporters from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa last week, Xi said: "No matter how international landscape may change, China will continue to support and promote Africa's efforts to achieve peace, stability, prosperity and development, seek strength through unity and participate in international affairs on the basis of equality.
"No matter whether it is rich or poor in resources, China treats it equally and actively carries out pragmatic cooperation that benefits both sides," he said.
China is the second-largest foreign investor in Tanzania, with stakes in agriculture, coal, iron ore and infrastructure.
"Xi's decision to visit Tanzania first suggests that China is not merely interested in short-term economic gains, but that it is interested in developing with African countries," said Frans-Paul van der Putten, senior research fellow at the Netherlands Institute of International Relations.
China has built roads, railways, and landmark buildings across Africa.
"China is what we call an all-weather friend," said Tanzania teacher Mwajuma Swai before Xi's arrival. "They don't flip-flop like the West and they don't give us a string of conditions for aid and trade."
Emerging economies
Today, the Chinese president will deliver his first policy speech on Africa.
He will then head to Durban, South Africa for a summit of leaders of the world's major emerging economies, known as the BRICS, tomorrow and Wednesday, and could endorse plans to create a joint foreign exchange reserves pool and an infrastructure.
The proposal underscores 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 United States and other industrialized nations.
Chinese imports from Africa soared 20-fold in a decade to reach US$113 billion last year, according to Chinese government statistics, and China became the continent's largest trading partner in 2009.
Highlighting the changing relationship, Beijing hosted a summit of 48 African leaders in 2006.
In South Africa, where two-way trade totalled US$59.9 billion last year - nearly one-third of total China-Africa trade - Xi will also hold talks with President Jacob Zuma.
He wraps up the African tour with a visit to Congo-Brazzaville.
China has lent oil-rich Congo-Brazzaville billions of dollars under a series of agreements, financing a 500 kilometer road linking the capital to commercial hub Pointe-Noire, a 120-megawatt hydroelectric dam and other projects.
A presidential source said that Brazzaville considered China an "essential partner" and their relationship "immaculate."
More than 2,000 Chinese companies operate in 50 African countries, with some 85 percent of their staff Africans.
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