Strengthening Sino-African ties
[ By Wang Hongyi ]
The year 2006 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Africa. Over 50 years, Sino-African friendship has been consolidating increasingly. Today, bilateral relations have reached a new stage. In November, the China-Africa Cooperation Forum was held in Beijing, with 41 heads of state or government from Africa taking part. Early this year, China’s government released a document on its Africa policy. In spring, President Hu Jintao visited eight countries in the continent. He had already been to Africa several times before – in 2001, 2004 and 2006. Most members of China’s leadership have been there. In addition, the Communist Party of China has established various forms of relations with more than 60 political parties in over 40 African countries. Three ministerial meetings of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum have been held, creating an institutionalised platform.
No doubt, China is interested in strengthening Sino-African ties. Since China and Africa’s countries are poor nations, they face the same challenges of safeguarding peace and promoting development. To China, Africa has always been relevant. The People’s Republic has always supported African countries’ participation in international affairs on an equal footing while at the same time opposing any foreign interference in their internal affairs. This approach has won China trust and acknowledgment in Africa.
On the other hand, African countries appreciate China’s role as a big developing nation and a permanent member of the UN Security Council. When China suffered diplomatic isolation imposed by the West, African countries supported China in restoring its legitimate role in the UN. China is in favour of democratising the environment of global politics with the goal of building a harmonious, multi-polar world. African governments support this approach. Moreover, Africans respect China’s territorial integrity and state sovereignty, giving consistent support to China in its cause of peaceful reunification as well as on the issues of Tibet and human rights. That is why anti-China motions at international conferences have often failed.
China and Africa are intensifying cooperation in the area of peace and security. Because of the wounds dealt by colonialism and drastic changes in the international political environment, Africa has suffered from sharp contradictions which affect ethnic and religious matters, and compounded regional and social problems and numerous other security issues. There have been wars and armed conflicts. Again and again, the Security Council must deal with African crises, and China has actively participated in UN peacekeeping operations as well as provided material or financial aid to support them. At present, 1300 military personnel from China are in Africa on UN missions, proving that China contributes to international security.
Economic dimensions
In the field of business, ties are also becoming stronger. All developing countries share the goals of boosting economic prosperity, promoting growth, and improving people’s livelihoods. In face of economic globalisation, developing countries need to coordinate efforts to amend unjust rules of world economic system. They need to stand united on important issues in order to secure benefits and to avoid harm. Moreover, China’s and Africa’s economies are complementary in trade, they need each other’s resources and markets.
In the 1950s, the volume of Sino-African trade amounted to a mere $ 10 million. By 2006, it reached 55.5 billion. China has established trade ties with all African countries. 900 Chinese companies are operating in the continent. China has invested a total sum of $ 11.7 billion in various countries. Sectors include trade, manufacturing, resource exploitation, agriculture communications and transport infrastructure and others. For China, Africa is now an important source of resources as well as a huge market. For Africa, China is an important investment partner and buyer of commodities.
In order to further enhance economic relations, efforts are underway to improve the investment environment. Late last year, China announced it would grant tariff-free market access to some commodities from least-developed countries in Africa. Moreover, the People’s Republic will establish a fund of $ 5 billion to encourage the investment to Africa by 2009. China has signed bilateral agreements on facilitation and protection of investment with 26 African countries. China has also joined institutions such as the African Development Bank and the West African Development Bank, which serves the members of UEMOA (Union Economique et Monétaire Ouest Africaine).
China started aid activities for Africa in 1956. The Tanzania-Zambia Railway is an early example of a Chinese-aided project in Africa. Currently, China’s main assistance to African development comes in the form of financial grants as well as interest-free or preferential loans. The focus is on using local materials, increasing employment and promoting local industries. In addition, China has cancelled debts incurred by more than 30 African countries totalling $ 1,5 billion and is prepared to continue cancelling debts.
Social and cultural exchange has also increased. In 2000, the Chinese Ministry of Culture announced the setting-up of a special fund for such purposes, providing cultural aid to Africa with no strings attached. In 2004, the first Chinese and African Youth Festival was held in China with 132 youth representatives from 44 members of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum participating. In the same year, a “Tour of Chinese Culture in Africa” was held in 18 African countries. So far, the Chinese government has increased the number of African countries as approved destinations for Chinese tourists from two to 17. With more Chinese tourists visiting Africa, our understanding of the continent will surely grow.
In order to let the world share China’s experience and raise Africa’s capacity to develop on its own, China has stepped up its cooperation with Africa in human resources development. China has begun to help to train various kinds of urgently needed managerial and technical personnel. In the past three years, more than 15 000 Africans were trained. The figure will be twice as high for the next three years. China has also dispatched more than 300 agricultural experts and 60 teachers of vocational education to African countries. A “Chinese Youth Volunteers’ African Service Plan” has been launched, the first batch of volunteers will soon depart for Africa.
In health care, China has long since supported African countries in establishing facilities. In 2006, China announced a fund of $ 100 million to do drugs research relating to locally prevalent illnesses. Today, there are 35 Chinese medical teams in Africa, with 880 members in 34 African countries. China is serious about Sino-African friendship and about, on an equal footing, helping the continent to develop.