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China-Africa forum advocates NGO cooperation

By Zhang Rui: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, August 27, 2015

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A declaration of proposals was issued at the fourth China-Africa People's Forum held in Yiwu of east China's Zhejiang Province on Wednesday, appealing to NGOs to support the exchanges and development on both sides.

The fourth China-Africa People's Forum was held in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province on Aug. 26, 2015. [China.org.cn]

The forum is held in a city known as the world's largest wholesale market for small consumer goods and is home to more than 3,000 African businesspeople.

The declaration said the participants of the forum "believe China and Africa have always shared weal and woe in a community of shared destinies and have cooperated for win-win results in a community of shared interests," and people "are the foundation for development of the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership."

As the declaration states, all forum participants call upon NGOs, think-tanks, media, businesses and government departments of China and Africa to function as the booster for the comprehensive and sustainable development of China-Africa relations. It said all of them "must give a full play to the friendship between the two sides and unleash positive energy of the non-governmental sectors."

The declaration also appealed to China and Africa to enhance mutual understanding through exchanges and mutual trust through cooperation. The representatives asked both sides to continue cooperation in education, health care, poverty reduction and development for ordinary citizens. China will invite 500 African representatives from non-governmental sectors to attend seminars in China in successive groups and Chinese NGOs will help African countries to train scientists, technicians and professionals of health care and agriculture among other areas.

"At present, most of China's aid to Africa is being used to improve people's lives. Some 100,000 jobs are created by the 2,500 Chinese companies operating in Africa," Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao said at the forum. "China's investment stock in Africa stands at US$30 billion, but there is still huge untapped potential in investment in Africa, especially in the private sector."

"China-African cooperation should direct more financial and human capital to areas that directly relate to people's livelihoods, such as poverty reduction, agriculture, public health, clean water and disaster prevention, to bring the African people tangible benefits," Li continued.

The forum noted the voice of Chinese and African NGOs in the reform of the system of global governance. As "the current international situation is undergoing far-reaching and complex changes, and world multi-polarization is developing in a deep-going manner," strengthening the unity and cooperation among non-governmental forces of China and Africa and making a common sound will be conducive to moving the international relations in "more stable, balanced and democratic direction."

The forum declaration mentioned further improving the mechanism of the China-Africa People's Forum, saying China NGO Network for International Exchanges and the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union, as the joint host of the forum, will take the lead in setting up a permanent committee of the forum in charge of regular contact between non-governmental sectors in China and African countries.

Liu Hongcai, vice minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, read the declaration at the forum's closing ceremony, which lasted a full day, and was attended by 200 representatives from China and about 30 African countries as well as from the United Nations Development Programme and the African Union.

The declaration will be submitted to relevant departments of the Chinese and African governments and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Meeting to be held in South Africa at the end of 2015.

Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao, President of the National Assembly of Togo Dama Dramani, Speaker of the National Assembly of Malawi Richard Msowoya, former President of Namibia Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba and former Head of State of Sudan Abdel Rahman Swar al-Dahab all attended and addressed the forum under the theme of "Joining Efforts Towards Building a China-Africa Community of Shared Destinies and Embracing A New Horizon in People-to-People Friendship." UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sent a video message for the forum at the opening ceremony.

You Jianhua, secretary-general of the China NGO Network for International Exchanges, said at a press conference after the forum that the forum has become a booster to promote relations between China and African countries, as well as a mechanism, bridge, and platform connecting the hearts of the people on both sides.

Joseph Chilengy, executive chairman of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union, added that the forum will become a significant milestone in China-Africa relationship development. He said he regarded China is a reliable, sincere and trustworthy friend for African countries.

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