African experts hail China’s move to strengthen cooperation with Africa

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his African counterparts are expected to adopt new resolutions to revitalize bilateral cooperation between China and African states when the summit ends on Saturday afternoon.

“These plans aim at addressing three issues holding back Africa’s development, namely inadequate infrastructure, lack of professional and skilled personnel and funding shortage”.

“It includes $5 billion zero interest loans, $35 billion on preferential facilities and export credit lines, concessional loans on more favourable terms; an increase of $5 billion to the China-Africa development fund and a special loan for the development of SMEs”, Xi said.

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma, who is joint host at the summit, welcomed Africa and China’s deepening partnership.

“Our continent leaders need to invest in infrastructure to make our economies more receptive for Chinese investment, as we will need that infrastructure to accelerate our skill to market as opportunity waits for no one”.

It would be recalled that at the opening meeting of the Forum, Chinese President Xi Jinping told African leaders that his country would pump $60 billion (39.71 billion pound) into development projects, cancel some debt and boost agriculture under a three-year plan that will extend Beijing’s influence in the continent. “This is the outstanding aspect of our cooperation with China”, Kenyatta remarked.

Mugabe, whose government signed 10 economic accords with China this week including on expanding Zimbabwe’s largest thermal power plant, praised Beijing’s role in Africa, contrasting it favourably with that of Western nations.

Heads of states and governments from 50 African countries have gathered to consult on the future development strategy of Sino-African cooperation with Chinese leaders. “We believe that is the best way to develop Africa…”

The two countries have achieved fruitful results in all areas of practical cooperation, he said, adding that the Chinese side stands ready to translate the traditional friendship into driving forces for further cooperation. “Achievement of mutual benefits is the basis of Sino-Africa cooperation”, Kenyatta remarked.

The African and Chinese leaders will pursue a partnership that is honest and mutually beneficial, he said.

According to President Buhari, China and Africa must work together to confront the above threats, as well as the challenge of climate change “for which Africa remains badly affected with severe threats to food security and social stability”, in addition to “unacceptable levels of poverty, unemployment and youth restiveness”.

Xi, who is in his first trip to Africa, said that the land is not only endowed with a long and splendid history but also blessed with a great potential for development.