Strengthen Traditional Friendship, Promote Common Development and Usher China-Africa Friendly Cooperation in A New Stage
Address by Chinese Premier Wen Jiaobao at the Opening Session of The China-South Africa Business Cooperation Forum
22 June 2006
Dear Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka,
Dear Ministers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,
It gives me great pleasure to attend the first China-South Africa Business Forum today. And I do appreciate the opportunity to meet you all and discuss with you ways to deepen China-South Africa cooperation, and more broadly, China-African cooperation. I also wish to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you for having worked so hard over the years to promote friendship and cooperation between our two countries and between China and Africa.
China and Africa are geographically far apart. But despite the vast distance, our bond of friendship and cooperation has remained strong and vibrant. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of diplomatic relations between China and African countries. Over the years, we the Chinese and Africans have supported each other in the fight for national sovereignty and dignity, worked hand in hand in the pursuit of economic development and better livelihood, and maintained close coordination in the cause of upholding world peace and safeguarding the rights and interests of the developing world. And we have forged a profound friendship between us. China-Africa relationship is truly a model of equality and friendship for the international community.
China has endeavored to provide assistance without any political strings attached to our brothers and sisters in Africa to the best of its ability. Over the years, China has completed some 900 projects of economic and social development in Africa, provided scholarships for 18,000 students from 50 African countries to study in China and sent 16,000 medical personnel to 47 African countries, who have treated 240 million patients. And over 3,000 Chinese peacekeepers have been involved in peace-keeping operations in hot-spot areas in Africa. China also actively promotes trade with Africa, helps ease its debt burden, supports regional cooperation and helps Africa to achieve self-development.
Mutual support is key feature underlying China-Africa relations, and we in China will never forget Africa's support to China. Over the decades, Africa has always firmly supported China on major issues involving China's national interests, especially the restoration of China's lawful seat in the United Nations, the Taiwan issue and human rights. China also received Africa's support in its successful bid for hosting the 2008 Olympics and 2010 World Expo.
As a Chinese saying goes, "Distance tests a horse's strength, and time tells a person's sincerity". Fifty years have passed and so much has changed in the world. But China-Africa friendly relations, built on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, have stood the test of time and flourished. China and Africa remain good friends, good brothers and good partners, sharing both weal and woe and profound friendship. I am firm in the conviction that no matter how our world may change, the friendly ties between the Chinese and Africans will last.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
China is the largest developing country and Africa is home to the largest number of developing countries. China's relationship with Africa is a cornerstone of China's foreign policy, and to consolidate and expand its friendship and cooperation with Africa is a long-term strategy pursued by China. We sincerely hope to see Africa develop and grow stronger. The Chinese Government, is committed to building a new type of strategic partnership with Africa. To accomplish this goal, we will take the following steps:
First, enhance political equality and mutual trust. China will maintain high-level visits with African countries to deepen mutual understanding and friendship. We respect the social system and development strategy pursued by African countries in light of their particular national conditions. We do not seek to export our own values and development models to Africa. We will continue to speak out for the interests of Africa at international forums and support African countries in their efforts to safeguard sovereignty and independence and promote regional peace and stability.
Second, promote win-win economic cooperation. We will endeavor to expand economic and trade ties with Africa. We will carry out steps designed to assist African countries and other developing countries, such as offering zero-tariff treatment to some of their exports, increasing aid and debt relief. We encourage more Chinese companies to invest in Africa, participate in infrastructure building and agricultural development, transfer technologies and help Africa fully release the strength of its resources, enhance its competitiveness and strengthen its economy. We will expand trade with Africa and increase import from Africa. We take the concerns of some African countries on trade deficit and textiles seriously and are working to address these issues.
Third, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges. China will continue to support Africa in promoting educational, health and cultural development. It will provide more scholarships for African students to study in China and build more schools in African countries. China will also send more medical teams to Africa, provide anti-malaria medicines, set up malaria prevention and treatment centers in Africa and carry out cooperation in HIV-AIDS prevention and control with Africa. China encourages more young Chinese volunteers to come and work in Africa. It supports the hosting of bilateral cultural, art ad sports events and encourages exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and African science, education, culture and health institutions.
Fourth, maintain close cooperation in international affairs. China will continue to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Africa in international affairs, strive to foster a new type of Asia-Africa strategic partnership and work with African countries to promote South-South cooperation and North-North dialogue. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China holds that Africa's legitimate demands deserve due respect. It opposes the practices of the strong bullying the weak and of imposing double standards in international affairs. We call on the international community to focus its attention on Africa, give more support to Africa and create conditions for Africa to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
Being part of South-South cooperation, China-Africa cooperation is neither closed nor exclusive. It does not affect our respective cooperation with third parties and poses no threat to the interests of any third party. Our cooperation is transparent, open and inclusive, and we welcome the participation of other countries and international organizations.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
South Africa is China's key partner of strategic cooperation in Africa. Both being developing countries, China and South Africa share extensive common ground politically and enjoy enormous potential of cooperation economically. To deepen China-south Africa strategic partnership serves the fundamental interests of both countries, and that is why the Chinese Government places great value on promoting China-South Africa cooperation. Yesterday, China and South Africa signed the Program of Cooperation on Deepening the Strategic Partnership between China and South Africa, which sets forth the goals and tasks for intensifying cooperation. China will maintain high-level mutual visits with South Africa, give full play to the role of the Bi-National Commission and conduct regular exchange of views with South Africa on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest. We will expand our cooperation in agriculture, forestry, science and technology, infrastructure, telecommunications, energy, mining and other fields. China encourages Chinese companies to increase import from South Africa and will work to further boost the growth of our bilateral trade. China supports South Africa's Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative and will assist by providing skills training and capacity building. We will train 300 professionals of various types for South Africa in the next three years. We will also promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges as well as tourism to strengthen understanding and friendship between our two peoples.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the past 20 years and more since the launching of the reform and opening-up program, China has made great progress in its modernization drive. China's development opens s huge market for the world and offers many opportunities to African countries. Recent years have seen rapid expansion of China's trade and sharp increase in its import from Africa. In 2005, the China-Africa trade volume hit US$39.8 billion, with China's import from Africa totaling US$21.1 billion, more than its export to Africa. As it continues to develop, China will carry out cooperation with Africa based on comparative strength in more areas and at a higher level. China will increase its aid to and investment in Africa and thus help Africa to develop itself.
We in China are now working to build a moderately prosperous society in all aspects, and the country is experiencing sound social and economic development. At the same time, we are soberly aware that China will remain a developing country for a long time to come. Although China's total GDP ranks among the top in the world, it has a population of 1.3 billion and its per capita GDP is still behind the 100th place. Several dozen million Chinese are still in poverty. There are imbalances in development between town and country and among different regions, and pressure on employment is mounting. China's march towards modernization is a long and arduous one. An international environment of peace is crucial for China's development, and China needs to carry out friendly cooperation with all other countries to develop itself. We are committed to pursuing peaceful development. We are focusing on development to build a harmonious society in China and are working with other countries to build a harmonious world. China's development will not threaten anyone. China will remain a staunch force for upholding world peace and promoting common development.
The 2nd China-Africa Business Conference will be held in Beijing in several months. I wish to extend a warm invitation to all of you present and other African entrepreneurs to attend the conference. You will have the opportunity to explore business cooperation with Chinese entrepreneurs and contribute your share to strengthening China-Africa friendship and cooperation.
In conclusion, I wish the China-South Africa Business Cooperation Forum full success!
Thanks you!
