China, Africa pledge to enhance co-op toward prosperity

Economic cooperation between China and Africa has contributed to the socioeconomic development of both sides and the two sides will enhance cooperation toward common development and prosperity, according to a joint communique issued on Monday after the meeting between Chinese and African foreign ministers.

The joint communique was released after the third round of China-Africa ministerial political consultations, which was attended by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his counterparts from 40 African countries or their representatives, as well as representatives of the African Union (AU) Commission.

The officials had an in-depth exchange of views on strengthening coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, China-Africa cooperation on African peace and security, and China-Africa cooperation in general.

The communique reiterated that China will follow through on the commitment to implementing the African Talent Program to train 30,000 professionals in various fields for Africa, stepping up the transfer of technologies to African countries, and helping African countries enhance their capacity for independent development.

The Chinese side will also follow through on the commitment to providing a 20 billion U.S. dollar credit line to Africa, increasing investment in Africa's agriculture, agro-processing, and manufacturing industry, and helping Africa achieve food security, raising added value of its exports, boosting employment and realizing sustainable and inclusive development, the communique said.

The two sides agreed that it is of great strategic significance for China, the biggest developing country, and Africa, the largest group of developing countries, to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation. In this regard, China and Africa need to further take into due consideration each other's concerns and needs, and enhance communication and coordination on major international issues such as food security, climate change, and the Doha round negotiations within the framework of the World Trade Organization.

Peace and security are also top on the agenda of this high-level meeting.

The two sides maintained that efforts should be made to strike a balance between peace, security, stability and development in order to deal with the root causes of conflicts. It is important to take a holistic approach to address both the symptoms and root causes of hotspot issues and to resort to dialogues and negotiations in settling regional disputes.

Africa is facing growing challenges in peace and security, with hotspot issues flaring up from time to time which have affected stability in some parts of the continent. The African side called for serious attention to post-conflict peace-building mechanisms and reconstruction, including youth employment and gender equality.

The communique pointed out that Africa belongs to the African people. The international community should respect the leading role of African countries, the AU, and Regional Economic Communities in settling Africa's problems, offer constructive assistance to Africa on hotspot issues, and oppose external interferences in Africa's internal affairs.

The two sides also expressed their support for necessary reforms of the United Nations. The Chinese side firmly supports Africa's legitimate demands for redressing the historical injustice and taking an equal part in international affairs, and believes that priority should be given to increasing the representation and voice of African countries in the Security Council and other agencies of the United Nations.

The Chinese side will continue to deepen cooperation with African states, the AU, Regional Economic Communities, and the NEPAD Agency (The New Partnership for Africa's Development) to promote connectivity and integration, and by making good use of the platform of the China-Africa Cooperative Partnership in Transnational and Trans-regional Infrastructure Development in Africa, reinforce communication and coordination between the joint working groups, to bring about greater efficiency, and help Africa unleash its development potential. The African side welcomes the continued investment by China in infrastructure development and notes the additional benefits in this regard as this will develop businesses in Africa, create jobs and enhance managerial skills.

The two sides reaffirmed that they will continue to strengthen consultation and coordinate positions on China-Africa relations and major international and regional issues of common interest through bilateral frameworks and multilateral mechanisms, including the political consultations between Chinese and African foreign ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly sessions.

The Chinese side expressed warm congratulations on the success of the AU commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the OAU/AU, and hailed the achievements made in the African integration process and the important role that the AU and Regional Economic Communities have played in this endeavor.

The two sides commended the progress being made in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration of the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC Beijing Action Plan (2013-2015), and reaffirmed the commitment to joining hands in close collaboration for comprehensive and efficient implementation of all the outcomes.

Delegates at the meeting strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya, on Sept. 21, and expressed their deep sympathy and firm support to the government and people of Kenya. They called on the international community to jointly combat terrorism in its various forms and support the efforts of African countries in maintaining peace and security.