Sino-African Forum seeks stronger cooperation

cctv.com 12-16-2003 09:28

The Sino-African Cooperation Forum was launched in 2000 out of the joint wishes to strengthen consultation and coordination. China and Africa alternate hosting the ministerial-level meeting every three years.

China and 44 African countries attended the first meeting in October 2000 in Beijing. The two sides worked out a framework for their future cooperation. Chinese experts say the forum is a significant attempt to conduct a collective dialogue and seek common development.

"China is the largest developing country in the world, and Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries. We share lots of common views on international affairs, such as human rights, developing rights, and sovereignty. The forum gives China and Africa a chance to strengthen South-South cooperation," said Li Guofu, director of African Research Dept. of China Institute of Int'l Studies.

Practical progress has been achieved since that first meeting. Politically, there've been more senior-level visits. Economically, the trade volume has set new records every year. It surpassed 10 billion US dollars in 2000 and will easily top 15 billion this year. By the end of 2002, China had written off 1.3 billion US dollars in loans to African countries. And over the last 3 years, more than 100 Chinese companies have invested in the African continent.

The Chinese government has outlined the main tasks for the second meeting. They are reviewing the implementation of the documents passed at the first meeting, and exploring new areas and measures to deepen cooperation in key fields such as human resources development, agriculture, infrastructure construction, investment and trade. There will also be an action plan.

"The ministerial meeting will issue an Addis Ababa Action Plan. On the one hand, it will reflect the two parties' consensus on political issues and other important international issues of common concern. On the other, it will lay down the concrete ideas about the two sides' cooperation in various fields in the next three years," said Lu Guozeng, assistant foreign minister.

This will be the forum's first ministerial meeting in Africa. Chinese analysts say the mechanism serves the interests of both sides.

"China is one of the permanent members of the United Nations. For a big country, to strengthen political contacts with others is helpful to enhance international status and expand influence. And Africa can learn from the experience of China since it began its opening up policy two decades ago," said Li Guofu, director of African Research Dept. of China Institute of Int'l Studies.

Such is the importance of the forum. And there will be more than 100 Chinese entrepreneurs seeking business opportunities this year.

GRAPHICS

Sino-African Cooperation Forum achievements since 2000

*More than 30 African leaders visited China

*Most Chinese leaders visited Africa

*Trade volume: US$10 bln in 2000; US$12.4 bln in 2002; US$15 bln in 2003 (Jan.-Oct.)

*China wrote off US$1.3 bln loans to Africa.

*117 Chinese companies invested in Africa.

Editor:Han  Source:CCTV.com