President meets Chinese president over stalled rail projects

The Chinese leader made the announcement during the China-Africa major summit held in Johannesburg, where multi-billion mega deals were inked by the two countries.

The two-day Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac) is the second time China has brought together African leaders since the forum was launched in Beijing in 2000.

The address, punctuated by rounds of applause, resonated among officials and observers, who say that it will lead the friendship and cooperation between the world’s largest developing country and the continent that is home to the largest number of developing countries to an even brighter future.

He specifically lauded China for the vision behind the establishment of FOCAC as a platform for higher level Africa-China relationship.

He said the measures had drawn on wisdom from both sides.

The big package covers the areas of industrialization, agricultural modernization, infrastructure, financial services, green development, trade and investment facilitation, poverty reduction and public welfare, public health, people-to-people exchanges, and peace and security.

President Xi Jinping has announced that China will help develop Africa by extending $60 billion in the form of grants, loans and development funds, as well as scholarships and training for thousands of Africans in three years. “Five major pillars” is raised from a strategic advantageous position, covering a wide range course for China-Africa relation’s development.

In the security sector, Xi noted that China will continue to help Somalia strengthen its national defense and security capability, and provide assistance to the African Union Mission in Somalia.

Ismail praised as historical relations between Egypt and China, stressing the importance of boosting joint cooperation.

Contrary to what some claim in the West, China “is not colonizing Africa”, he said.

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe told Chinese President Xi Jinping that he had done for Africa “what we expected from colonisers in history” by giving Africa a $60 billion aid package.

China and Africa are always good friends, good partners and good brothers, he added.

China would encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest in Ghana and participate in its infrastructure construction, including power, telecommunication, ports and roads, he said during a meeting with his Ghanaian counterpart, John Dramani Mahama.

China’s top envoy in Africa does not believe his compatriots are being targeted by terrorists on the continent.

Speaking to the more than 40 heads of state on Friday, President Jacob Zuma said Africa and China need to protect their youth from being brainwashed into joining extremist groups.