Premier Wen concludes Egypt visit

Premier Wen Jiabao has returned to Beijing after attending the forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Egypt. Earlier on Sunday, the Premier outlined new proposals to deepen cooperation with the continent. He said China's goal was to help African countries build up their capacity for self-development.

Wen Jiabao met the press on Sunday after the opening ceremony of the forum on China-Africa cooperation.

He responded to criticism that China is primarily interested in Africa's energy and natural resources.

Wen Jiabao said the development of ties between China and Africa is not a new phenomenon. He highlighted the decades of cooperation, saying the Chinese government built roads and railways and sent medical teams to many African countries. During that period, China provided the unconditional aid, without receiving anything in return.

Wen Jiabao said China has paid great attention to improving the living conditions and training human resources on the continent.

He added that hundreds of millions of Africans have benefited from the schools, hospitals and anti-malaria centers constructed by Chinese workers.

Earlier, Wen Jiabao announced eight new measures to strengthen relations with Africa in the next three years, including more concessional loans worth 10 billion US dollars.