Leaders of China and 48 African countries Sunday urged developed
countries to increase assistance to Africa as a historic summit on
China-Africa cooperation wrapped up in Beijing.
"We urge the developed countries to increase official
development assistance and honor their commitments to opening
market and debt relief," the leaders said in a declaration adopted
following the two-day gathering in the Chinese capital.
They called on the related international organizations to
provide more financial and technical assistance to enhance Africa's
capacity in poverty and disaster reduction and prevention and
control of desertification, and help Africa realize the UN
Millennium Development Goals, according to the declaration.
"Greater attention should be paid to the issue of development
facing the least developed countries, the heavily indebted poor
countries and the small island countries in Africa," the
declaration said.
The summit, which is believed to the largest diplomatic event
between China and Africa in history, highlighted the strategic
partnership between China and Africa.
At the opening ceremony Saturday, Chinese President Hu Jintao
announced a package of aid and assistance measures to Africa
including assistance to Africa by 2009, US$3 billion of
preferential loans in next three years and the exemption of more
debt owed by poor African countries.
Under the framework of the forum, China has already canceled
debt of 10.5 billion yuan (US$1.3 billion) incurred by 31 Heavily
Indebted Poor Countries and least developed countries in Africa,
and has given zero-tariff treatment to 190 categories of import
commodities from 29 African countries.
The leaders also called on the international community to
encourage and support Africa's efforts to pursue peace and
development and provide greater assistance to African countries in
peaceful resolution of conflicts and post-war reconstruction,
according to the declaration.
Along with the declaration, the summit also adopted an action
plan on China-Africa cooperation (2007-2009).
(Xinhua News Agency November 5, 2006)