by Joseph Ngwawi – SANF 06 No 102
China-Africa relations have strengthened significantly following the milestone Beijing summit whose main outcome was an ambitious roadmap to guide cooperation between the two sides for the period 2007-2009.
The Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) concluded in the Chinese capital in early November with an ambitious action plan that aims to boost bilateral cooperation to a higher level.
The document was endorsed by leaders of China and 48 African nations.
According to the action plan, the Chinese and African leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in politics, economy, international affairs and social development.
In a move expected to counter the dominance of Western countries in international matters, China and Africa agreed to “condemn and oppose terrorism in whatever form” and to “explore ways of counter-terrorism cooperation”.
Since the end of the “cold war” between the United States and the then Soviet Union, the West has set the international agenda, including on sticky issues such as what constitutes good governance and democracy.
In their action plan, the African and Chinese leaders agreed to use their collective voice to also influence world affairs. The world is currently grappling with issues such as nuclear disarmament and international terrorism.
China and Africa condemned what they considered as “double standards” by the West in its handling of world affairs and recognised the crucial role of the United Nations and UN Security Council in the international campaign to check terrorism.
They pledged to uphold the important role of the United Nations in international affairs and promote multilateralism and democracy in international relations.
It was agreed that UN reform should be based on democratic negotiations and must ensure unity among member states.
The action plan calls for increased international cooperation in promoting nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
“China supports Africa’s efforts in realising the objective of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Africa on a voluntary basis,” says the document.
China pledged to continue supporting the demining operations in Africa and the fight against illicit trade in small arms and light weapons through financial and material assistance and related training.
The two sides also agreed to intensify cooperation on non-traditional security issues, including natural disasters, refugees and displaced persons, illegal migration, trans-boundary crime, drug smuggling and communicable diseases.
To enhance friendship and mutual trust, the two sides agreed to keep up the momentum on high-level visits and dialogue and to share experiences on governance issues.
A mechanism for regular political dialogue between foreign ministers of the two sides within the FOCAC framework was one of the outcomes of the summit.
It was decided that foreign ministers from both sides should meet for political consultations on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York during the year after every FOCAC summit.
This will enable an exchange of views on major issues of common interest.
Chinese President Hu Jintao announced a set of measures, spanning the whole spectrum of relations between China and Africa. The measures covered political, economic, technological, social and cultural relations and are aimed at creating a win-win situation for both parties.
These include a US$3 billion preferential loan package and a US$2 billion “preferential buyers’ credits” to Africa in the coming three years.
The Asian country, an emerging world economic power, also promised to set up a US$5 billion China-Africa Development Fund to encourage Chinese companies to invest in Africa. The fund will be used to provide start-up capital to Chinese companies wishing to invest in Africa.
In a move expected to benefit several SADC countries, China pledged to double aid to Africa by 2009 and to cancel all debt owed to it by African countries that became due in 2005.
Hu announced that China will also train more than 10,000 African professionals in various fields; set up 10 centres of agricultural excellence in the three years; build schools and clinics; and cooperate with African countries in politics and multilateral issues.
China pledged to establish up to five trade and economic zones in Africa by 2009 in a move that will see the Asian country opening up its market to African producers by increasing from 190 to 440 the number of duty-free export product from least developed African countries with diplomatic ties with China.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and African countries.
In a move aimed at bolstering Sino-African political ties, the Chinese will build a conference centre for the African Union.
China and African countries resolved to bolster joint energy and resources exploration and exploitation under the principle of reciprocity and common development, says the action plan.
China will work to help African countries turn “their advantages in energy and resources into development strengths” while giving high priority to environmental protection and sustainable development on the continent.
