The Foreign Ministry yesterday refuted reports suggesting
China's economic cooperation with Africa is prompted by the
continent's oil resources, calling the criticism "one-sided."
Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei made the remarks at a press
briefing for home and overseas journalists on Premier Wen Jiabao's upcoming visits to seven African
countries.
Wen will visit Egypt, Ghana, the Republic of Congo, Angola,
South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda from June 17 to 24.
"Some people think that the import of oil is China's sole
purpose in developing economic ties with Africa. This view is
erroneous and one-sided," He said.
China and Africa have very comprehensive economic and trade
ties. "We've even taken some political measures to help the African
nations, including subsidies for imports to balance bilateral
trade," He said.
"It fully reflects China's sincerity," he added.
China's cooperation with African countries has helped improve
their people's living standards, and brought benefits to both
sides, He said.
This will be Wen's second visit to Africa since he attended the
Second Ministerial Conference of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in Ethiopia in
December 2003.
China published many African policy documents earlier this year
and President Hu Jintao visited three African nations in
April.
Wen will hold talks with leaders of the seven countries and
exchange views on promoting bilateral relations, He said. A series
of cooperative agreements will be signed between China and these
countries in various fields including politics, economy, education
and culture.
During his stay in Egypt, Wen will join Egyptian Prime Minister
Ahmed Mahmoud Mohamed Nazef at the Pyramids Plateau to mark the
50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between the two
countries, He said.
Wen will hold a press conference before winding up his visit to
Egypt, and fully expound China's policies and measures to be taken
toward Africa, he added.
Wen will also join a China-South Africa business forum and
deliver a keynote speech during his visit to the country, he
said.
During his stay in Tanzania, Wen will visit the China-aided
Tanzania-Zambia railway and pay respect to the Chinese experts who
died in the process of its construction, He said.
During Wen's visit to Uganda, he will visit an AIDS prevention
and treatment center, and provide assistance to the center on
behalf of the Chinese government.
China's trade volume with Africa totaled US$39.7 billion in
2005, and the country's direct investment in Africa reached US$1.18
billion. China has about 900 assistance projects in Africa.
(Xinhua News Agency June 10, 2006)