By Elishya Perera
ABUJA, Nigeria (CU)_ Africa is not an arena for superpower games but a major stage for international cooperation, the State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, said on Tuesday (Jan 5).
The Foreign Minister made these comments during his five-nation new year tour in Africa, which commenced on Monday.
Participating in a joint press conference with Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, Wang further noted that supporting the development of African nations is a shared responsibility of the international community, and that all countries should bolster cooperation with Africa while “respecting Africa’s sovereignty and listening to Africa’s voice”.
When inquired on his opinion regarding claims of the international community that Beijing is increasing its influence in Africa and competing with other countries through the China-Africa cooperation, the Chinese Foreign Minister noted that Beijing’s relations with African nations have withstood various tests and grown even stronger over time. He added that whenever Africa encountered great difficulties, China was the first to offer assistance, but has never attached political conditions to its aid to Africa.
During the press conference, Wang also pointed out how China’s cooperation with the African nations have extensively benefited the people of the across the continent.
Since the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) two decades ago, Beijing’s investments in Africa have expanded by 100-fold, while trade between China and Africa has expanded by 20-fold, the Foreign Minister said.
“China has built more than 6,000 kilometres of railway lines, 6,000 kilometres of roads, nearly 20 ports and more than 80 large power facilities in Africa, assisted Africa in building over 130 medical facilities, 45 gymnasiums and 170-plus schools, dispatched 21,000 medical team members to 48 African countries and treated about 220 million patients in Africa,” he added.
Wang also noted that cooperation between China and Africa has brought significant changes to local economic and social development in the region, which has super headed the international cooperation with Africa, driving other countries to pay more attention to the region and increase their investment in Africa.
According to Wang, Beijing will continue to strengthen its cooperation with Africa on the principles of “sincerity, real results, amity and good faith”, and intends to play a “constructive role” in promoting peace and development in the region.
