President Hu´s African tour to strengthen China-Africa ties

Source: CCTV.com | 01-30-2007 13:39

The Chinese President's African tour aims to broaden the nation's reach and to strengthen ties with the continent. This follows action at the China-Africa cooperation summit in Beijing last year.

CATIC has been exporting aircraft to Africa for more than two decades. 380 of the company's aircraft serve 16 African nations, in public transport and national defence.

CATIC and many other Chinese companies hope to increase sales to Africa.

The signs are good, as Chinese President Hu Jintao begins his third visit to African countries.

Xu Weizhong, professor China Inst. of Contemporary Int'l Rel., said, "President Hu's first overseas mission of 2007 will demonstrate that Africa is high on China's diplomatic agenda. This carries the clear message that the enduring and maturing relationships between Africa and China are of immense importance to both sides."

Chinese investment in Africa reached new heights in recent years and it continues to climb. China replaced Britain as the continent's third biggest trading partner. Only the US and France have larger investments.

Last year, a series of visits, including the president and premier's respective African trips, thrust China-Africa relations into the media spotlight.

The work to create new and stronger relationships culminated last November, when Beijing hosted leaders from 48 African nations at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Experts say that the assembly is an excellent foundation upon which to build new strategic partnerships between China and Africa.

Hu Jintao, said, "We have never strayed from the principle of enhancing friendship, treating each other as equals, extending mutual support and promoting common development in building our ties."

At the summit, China advanced an eight-point package to support African development. It includes reducing debt, cutting tariffs on African imports, increasing aid, improving vocational training and increasing investment.

Analysts say the major focus of Hu's trip is to ensure the package's pledges are carried out.

Editor:Du Xiaodan