Source: Xinhuanet

05-16-2007 09:18

SHANGHAI, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The governor of the People Bank of China, Zhou Xiaochuan, told a ministerial round-table prior to the 2007 Annual Meetings of the Board of Governors of African Development Bank Group on Tuesday that China is willing to play an active role in promoting financial cooperation between Asia and Africa.

Africa and Asia share common interests in many areas. The two economies are highly complementary. China will take four measures to promote financial cooperation between Asia and Africa, said Zhou.

China will help African countries push forward financial reforms and opening-up, encourage Chinese enterprises, smaller ones in particular, to increase investment in Africa and urge Chinese financial institutions to actively explore business in Africa, by participating in infrastructure construction projects and providing financial services.

African financial institutions are also welcomed to launch branches and representative offices in China, said Zhou.

The two continents should work to establish long-term partnerships, he added.

China will improve cooperation with African financial institutions, including African Development Bank, Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank and West African Development Bank, and support poverty relief and development in Africa.

Zhou pointed out that China has always played an active role in promoting regional financial cooperation.

Editor:Chen Ge