China assures Africa of stronger economic ties

In Beijing, China

The Chinese government has affirmed its commitment in promoting political, economic and cultural cooperation with African states.

Guangdong Province Vice-governor He Zhongyou said China and African Countries share a lot of similarities and hold same positions on many international and regional issues which should be used to cement the growing ties between the two.

Mr Zhongyou on Tuesday assured African countries of his province’s commitment in ensuring that joint developments especially those in infrastructure and industrial sectors are successful.

“Africans have become friends and business people. Moving forward, the milestones achieved through the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will continue to strengthen this relationship," he said.

Mr Zhongyou who represented Governor Zhu Xiaodan spoke at the opening ceremony for the 2016 China-Africa Youth Gala at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou City.

The summit that ends on August 5 brings together about 200 youths from 18 African States that were part of a delegation that represented their countries in last week’s First Asian-Africa Festival in Beijing City.

The countries are Kenya, Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Togo.

Others are Mozambique, Chad, Gabon, Congo, DRC Congo, Benin, Nigeria, Sudan and Zambia.

Madagascar’s Ambassador to China Victor Sikonina said China's trade with Africa has overtaken that of the traditional partners of Europe and the United States.

“This relationship continues to consolidate and develop comprehensive partnership of equality, mutual trust, mutual benefit and a win-win outcome. We need to continue sharing this development knowledge for the prosperity of the Asian giant, China and Africa,” Mr Sikonina who is also the Head of the African Diplomatic Corps said.

Mr Denis Ayenoue, an advisor to the Gabonese President welcomed China’s support in the construction of more projects in the continent as well as the training of more professionals.

“There is a need for greater transfer of knowledge of technology in Africa to help in development issues,” he said.

Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Vice-president Lin Yi attributed her country’s stable economy to home grown development models.

“We have fostered strong ties with Africa since 1971 when we got our seat as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council thanks to the Africa vote,” she said.