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China-Africa
Cooperation Forum Closes in Beijing
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October 12, 2000
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The China-Africa Cooperation Forum
-- Ministerial Meeting Beijing 2000 closed on October 12 at
the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika
and Secretary General of the Organization of African Unity
(OAU) Salim Ahmed Salim attended the closing ceremony.
Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen, State Councilor Wu Yi and
Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan were also present. The Minister
of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng presided
over the closing ceremony.
In his speech titled "Strengthen Solidarity, Enhance Cooperation
and Pursue Common Development", Premier Zhu extended congratulations
on the successful convening of the forum on behalf of the
Chinese government.
He called the forum an unprecedented important event in the
history of Sino-African relations, which he said has outlined
a blueprint for Sino-African cooperation and will push such
cooperation to a new stage.
"This forum marks an important milestone and will inevitably
enter the glorious annals of China-Africa friendship and cooperation",
Zhu said.
He pointed that as mankind is about to enter a new era, it
is more imperative and important than ever for China and Africa
to strengthen their cooperation in all fields.
The premier stressed the importance of economic and trade
cooperation in Sino-African relations.
"Our closer cooperation in this area will enable us to give
full play to our respective advantages, speed up our economic
development and help us shake off poverty and backwardness
to the benefit of all our people," he said.
According to the premier, strengthened economic ties will
also help China and African countries increase their international
competitiveness, put them in a better position in globalization
and safeguard their economic security.
It will also enhance South-South cooperation, improve the
standing of developing countries in North-South dialog and
facilitate the establishment of a fair and just international
political and economic order.
The premier stressed the importance of "new thinking" in developing
Sino-African economic ties, saying "we should enhance and
upgrade this cooperation by orienting ourselves towards the
market and improving coordination between governments and
enterprises with the latter being the main players."
Sino-African economic cooperation should follow the principles
of "equality and mutual benefit, diversity in form, stress
on practical results and pursuit of common development", Zhu
said.
The Chinese premier put forward a proposal on furthering Sino-African
economic ties, calling for the removal of tariff and non-tariff
barriers and the creation of better market access to each
other.
On the part of China, he said the Chinese government will
encourage Chinese enterprises to give preference to African
goods in their imports when all other conditions are the same
so as to improve trade balance between China and African countries.
China will also set up special funds and take other incentives
to encourage its enterprises to invest in Africa in export-oriented
processing industries, natural resources exploration and other
sectors, he said.
The premier announced that China will continue to offer assistance
to Africa within its means, including assistance gratis, concessional
loans and interest-free loans.
He called for the expansion of Sino-African cooperation in
agriculture, transportation, medical care and public health,
and the exploration and exploitation of natural resources,
and the strengthening of cooperation in finance and information
technology.
The two sides should also enhance their cooperation and consultation
in multilateral and regional organizations in order to safeguard
the interests of both.
Zhu pledged that China will implement its commitment to reduce
or exempt part of Africa's debt owed to China and urged main
creditor states and institutions to take concrete steps towards
the solving of Africa's debt issue.
The premier expressed the confidence that a more prosperous
and strong China in the 21st century will not only benefit
the Chinese people, but also contribute to closer economic
and trade cooperation and friendly exchanges between China
and African countries.
OAU Secretary General Salim also spoke at the closing ceremony.
The forum adopted Beijing Declaration and Program for China-Africa
Cooperation in Economic and Social Development.
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