Beijing - Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Friday that talks with his African counterparts at a Beijing forum were a success and they outlined plans for future cooperation between China and African nations.
Yang said after three days of meetings that the Forum on China-African Cooperation sent a “strong signal” about the unity and cooperation among developing countries.
At the forum, China pledged African governments $20 billion in credit over the next three years, and Chinese president Hu Jintao said the money will support infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing and growth of small businesses.
Hu also said China will further cultural and academic exchange with the African nations and promote peace and stability on the continent.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr praised the partnership. “We highly commend this new strategic partnership between China and Africa as a successful model of south-south cooperation,” he said at the joint news conference.
South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane welcomed the $20 billion line of credit and said South African will “work closely with China to ensure the measures are realized for the benefits of both sides.”
China has emerged as Africa's main trading partner and a major source of investment for infrastructure. But its presence has also sparked concerns about labor abuses and corruption.
South Africa will host the next forum in 2015. - Sapa-AP