China's Zeng ends African tour with pledges of aid
July 1, 2004
Pretoria - China was ready to give more help to Africa as it boosted trade and investment links with the world's poorest continent, Chinese vice-president Zeng Qinghong said on Tuesday.
Speaking at the end of a tour to Tunisia, Togo, Benin and South Africa, Zeng said Beijing was committed to doing its part to ensure Africa's political stability and economic development.
Zeng's visit is the latest in a series of high-level diplomatic contacts between Africa and China, which is increasingly looking to the continent to supply its booming economy with raw materials.
"Without the stability of Africa, there will be no world peace to speak of. Without the development of the African continent, there will be no world prosperity," Zeng said after his first official overseas trip since becoming vice-president.
"As a friend to Africa, China will provide assistance to the best of our ability," he said, without elaborating on the nature of Chinese aid he had in mind.
In the Cold War era, Chinese aid to Africa was largely in the cultural arena. Many African capitals still sport the odd Chinese-built "peoples" cultural palace or stadium.
In recent years Beijing's links with Africa have become more diversified, reflecting economic changes in China itself and its increasing diplomatic offensive in Africa against Taiwan, which China regards as its rebel province.
Zeng's visit to South Africa was marked by agreements that include a deal opening the way for the export of South African citrus and letters of intent for two big trade and investment projects.
Synthetic fuels firm Sasol may look at building two large coal-to-liquid oil plants in China, while International Ferro Metals signed a supply deal with China's Jiuquan Iron & Steel Company.
According to Chinese customs figures, Sino-African trade stood at about $12.38 billion (R77.14 billion) in 2002 and could rise to $30 billion by 2006.
The Southern African Customs Union, which maintains the free interchange of goods between Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland and South Africa, has started talks towards a free trade agreement with Beijing and has officially recognised China as a "market economy" - a designation the EU this week refused to grant.
Deputy president Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday that the two countries were committed to South-South co-operation on everything from expanding developing countries' representation on the UN security council to putting more muscle behind calls for reform of international trade.
"The very size of the Chinese economy brings hope to the African continent," Zuma said.
|
|
