China pledges broadened economic cooperation with Africa

BEIJING, Dec. 23 Kyodo -
China released Thursday its first white paper on trade and economic cooperation
with Africa, underscoring the expanding role it plays as investor and trade
partner with the African subcontinent.
The 29-page report said China-Africa trade hit $114.81 billion from January to
November this year, a jump of 43.5 percent from the same period in 2009.
It also said China became Africa's largest trade partner in 2009 despite trade
volume dropping from more than $100 billion in 2008 to $91.07 billion in the
year, a slide the report attributed to the international financial crisis.
The white paper, published by the State Council Information Office, defended
China's expanding African presence that has been criticized by some Western
countries for bringing little benefit to local livelihoods.
Cooperation among China and African countries was in the common interest of
both and helped promote economic development and social progress, the report
noted.
The Chinese government attaches ''great importance'' to building development
capacity in Africa, the paper said, providing training programs and sending
experts and volunteers to help build skills.
China also attaches importance to supporting infrastructure-building in Africa
and has helped African countries build public facilities, improve medical care
and public health services, among others, the paper said.
In addition to bilateral trade, China has played an increasingly large role on
the continent as a major investor, and the paper said Chinese investments at
the end of 2009 hit $9.33 billion, up sharply from $490 million six years
before.
Chinese investment is spread across 49 African countries, with the most
concentrated in South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia, Sudan, Algeria and Egypt.
Mining formed the largest sector, 29.2 percent of all direct Chinese investment
by the end of 2009, followed by manufacturing at 22 percent and construction at
15.8 percent, the report said.
As Chinese businesses increased their presence in African countries in past
years, resentment has surfaced over reportedly poor labor practices and working
conditions under Chinese employers.
In October, two Chinese mine managers were charged in Zambia with the attempted
murder of 11 miners during a work dispute after allegedly shooting at and
wounding them.
But the paper said, ''Chinese enterprises operating in Africa pay special
attention to good relations with the local people, by operating within the rule
of law, adhering to credibility, and enhancing resource conservation and
environment protection.''
Chinese enterprises also undertake socially responsible initiatives on their
own accord, efforts that have ''won them appreciation of the local governments
and people,'' the white paper said.
It concluded by saying China will, ''on the principles of equality, mutual
benefit and common development,'' continue to promote China-Africa economic
exchanges and broaden the scope of cooperation.
China's advance into Africa contrasts with Japan's virtual standstill there
despite the Japanese government announcing in 2008 a plan to double private
investment in Africa.
So far, that has not happened.
==Kyodo