China-Africa industrial cooperation projects being polited - Chinese FM

  07 December 2015    Read: 695
China-Africa industrial cooperation projects being polited - Chinese FM
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says projects of China-Africa industrial cooperation are being piloted in some African countries.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday at the conclusion of a landmark summit between China and Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wang said Beijing was willing and able to be "the most ideal partner" in Africa`s industrialization process.

For its growth, "Africa needs to achieve economic independence as early as possible, of which a major mark is its own industrial system," Wang said in response to Xinhua`s question on the selection of industrial cooperation as a key aspect in the new economic ties being forged between China and Africa.

China`s capacity and technology could help Africa`s industrialization, Wang said, adding industrial cooperation was prioritized in the 10 major China-Africa cooperation plans for the next three years announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the summit.

He revealed that pilot projects were underway in three East African countries and had been expanded to South Africa and Egypt.

China would help Kenya build industrial parks which were expected to host companies from various sectors, including export-oriented manufacturing, according to Wang.

In Ethiopia, industrial parks have been set up, supported by China, where footwear is being produced for both domestic and foreign markets and cars being assembled.

"We hope South Africa can play its role in becoming the engine of economic growth in Africa. We are very confident in this industrialization plan," Wang said.

South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana Mashabane expressed welcome to China`s cooperation plans for African countries` industrialization.

Wang added China had also made efforts to promote African companies in China in a bid to boost the purchase of made-in-Africa goods.

The two-day Johannesburg Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation brought together President Xi and 42 heads of African state and government.

The cooperation plans unveiled at the summit covers various areas including industrialization, agriculture, public health, poverty reduction, education, personnel training and peace and security.

Xi also announced 60 billion U.S. dollars of funding support for the plans, including grants, interet-free loans and preferential loans.


More about:  


News Line