Chinese President Xi Jinping, addressing African leaders in Johannesburg on Friday unveils a $60 billion fund to promote cooperation and support development efforts in Africa.
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Since the forum’s inception, trade between the two regions has increased from a modest $10 billion to $220 billion (€202 billion) and China’s investment in Africa has topped $30 billion, Chinese ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa said on Sunday.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to leave Abuja on Thursday for Johannesburg, South Africa, to participate in the Forum on China/Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), slated for December 4 and 5.
But African countries say they are not arriving at the summit with a begging bowl.
The two-day Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac) is the 2nd time China has brought together African leaders because the newsgroup was established in Beijing in 2000.
“The perception that China is the new colonizer is a complete misrepresentation of Beijing’s activities here in Africa”. He also emphasized that Africa should not be dictated to but assisted to solve African problems in an African way.
Sino-Africa cooperation is set to be enhanced as it has stood out due to its focus on practical results, mutual benefits and sincerity from both sides, he said.
Zuma added that, given that history, it was only natural that Africa has developed a win-win partnership for development and progress with China over the years.
He attended an African Union summit in the city earlier this year, leading to a huge furore when South Africa declined to arrest him despite a court order.
China is doing what the colonialists failed to do in the past: help Africa out of poverty, the president said.
These measures would change the structure of the economic relationship between China and Africa, away from the unbalanced trade relationship where Africa mainly exported raw materials to China and mainly imported manufactured goods.
On Saturday, the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS will hold its session followed by the closing ceremony of the summit.
“We will work with Africa to embrace a new era of win-win co-operation and common development”. The Chinese president said billions would go toward the smooth implementation of infrastructure projects, aid for drought-stricken countries and thousands of scholarships for African students.
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China has also stuck to its tradition of non-intervention in local politics, a move often criticised by the West as turning a blind eye to human rights violations but welcomed by its African partners such as Zimbabwe.
