| Speech at the Progress Briefing on the Implementation of the 8 Africa-targeting Measures of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation |
| 2007-11-30 09:47 MOFCOM |
 Distinguished Vice Minister Wei Jianguo, Your Excellency, Ambassador Etian, Your Excellency, Ambassador Allam, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, In November 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao announced 8 measures for strengthening pragmatic cooperation with Africa for the next three years at the the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. These measures are formulated according to the urgent needs of African countries and China’s own development level and are well received by African countries and people. The leaders on both sides attach great importance to the implementation of the measures and the exchange of high-level visits between them has vigorously promoted the implementation of the aid projects. With the joint efforts of the relevant departments of China and Africa, the implementation of the aid measures has witnessed a good start. Today, on behalf of the Department of Foreign Aid of MOFCOM, I’d like to brief you on the progress of the above projects. 1. The African Union Conference Center The two sides exchanged notes on the AU Conference Center for confirmation on Nov 20 and Dec 4 of 2006. The Chinese side believes that this project, after its completion, will become another milestone celebrating the deep China-Africa friendship after Tanzania-Zambia Railway with its significant and profound impact. In order to do a good job in the design of the project, the Chinese side has mobilized the major excellent design institutes in the country and solicited design plans for many times. After giving full consideration to aesthetics in exterior, convenience in utilization and economy in operation as well as thorough review, the authorities on both sides have decided on the design scheme submitted by the Architecture Design and Research Institute of Tongji University from 33 candidate schemes. During this period, AU President Konaré paid great attention to the project and personally promoted and selected the design scheme. According to this scheme, the AU Conference Center will cover 48,400㎡ with five parts. The first part is conference facilities, including the Conference Hall of 2550 seats, a medium-sized meeting room of 681 seats and a few small meeting rooms. The second part is the office buildings for Chairman and Vice Chairman of the AU Commission and the rotating president. The third part is the office buildings for the staff. The fourth part is auxiliary infrastructure including the library, the medical center, the training center, the multifunctional room and the TV live broadcast room. The fifth part is outdoor infrastructure, including the landscape project, the outdoor theatre, airfields for helicopters and parking lots. Currently, the preliminary design of the project is underway, which is expected to be completed at the end of the month. At that time we’d like to invite the African side to come for inspection. The project is scheduled to be started next year and completed and turned over in 2011. 2. The Training of 15000 Talent of Various Kinds for Africa in 3 Years The Chinese side plans to train 5000 talent for Africa every year focusing on economics and trade, health, science and technology, agriculture, customs, telecommunications and security. In 2007, China has already organized 197 training programs and seminars, turning out 4964 personnel in various fields for 49 countries and the figure for the whole year is expected to reach 5500. 3. The Building of 30 Hospitals for Africa According to the needs of African countries, China will build 27 general and specialist hospitals of different levels for Africa and provide medical equipment for three hospitals. Taking into account the characteristics of Africa, the Chinese side has publicly solicited design schemes and decided on three of them. At present, we’ve exchanged notes on inspection with 12 African countries and completed the inspection of two countries. We plan to send another 11 inspection teams by the end of the year. All the projects are expected to start next year. 4. The Building of 100 Rural Schools According to the needs of African countries, the Chinese side will provide aid for building 100 rural schools for 46 African countries. After nationwide public solicitation and several rounds of review, we have already selected 10 design schemes for African countries’ choice. Till now, China has already exchanged notes with 26 countries on 58 schools. The 100 schools will be divided into two batches, which will be completed in 2008 and 2009 respectively. 5. The Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center Project In order to help Africa enhance its agricultural technology level, expand grain production capacity and eliminate poverty, the Chinese government will establish one agricultural technology demonstration center in 14 African countries respectively. Through this project, China hopes to disseminate technologies and train personnel through scientific research outcome transfer, on-site breeding and production demonstration. The Chinese government attaches great importance to the project and has sent 5 inspection teams to Africa to fully exchange ideas with African governments on the location, content and scale of the project. In order to guarantee the successful implementation of the project, after serious studies the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Agriculture have decided to hand the 14 demonstration center projects to 11 agriculturally strong provinces, qualified agricultural scientific research institutes and enterprises and every province will choose leading agricultural enterprises for project implementation in Africa. In order to increase the vitality of the project and realize the sustainable development of African agriculture, the Chinese side has drawn on its experience in agricultural cooperation and plans to give full play to the role of enterprises and conduct marketized operation after 3 years’ of implementation while ensuring the intended functions of the project. After constant debates and improvement, currently China has formulated the implementation plan of the 14 agricultural technology demonstration centers and will soon send inspection teams to the sites. All the projects will be started next year and completed by the end of 2009. 6. The Dispatch of 100 Senior Agricultural Technology Experts The Chinese side will dispatch 100 senior agricultural technology experts from 2007 to 2009 to 34 African countries to help the recipient countries formulate agricultural development plans, improve seeds, impart pragmatic agricultural production technology and managerial expertise and train technological staff. At present, China has already selected 49 experts, who will be sent to qualified countries in batches. The selection of the rest 51 experts will be finished next year. 7. The Provision of 300 million RMB as Gratuitous Aid for African Countries to Prevent and Treat Malaria, Buy Artemisinin Drugs and Establish 30 Anti-Malaria Centers From 2007 to 2009, China has provided Artemisinin drugs to 33 African countries heavily infected by malaria on annual basis and established 30 anti-malaria centers. Apart from presenting Artemisinin drugs, China has also provided free diagnosis and treatment equipment for the centers, dispatched touring expert teams for imparting prevention and treatment experience, clinical instructions for the use of Artemisinin drugs and training medical workers. By now, China has finished the task of drug provision for 33 African countries for the year 2007 and decided on the scheme for the 30 anti-malaria centers. One of the centers has already been inaugurated and 15 such centers will be established by the end of 2008 while the rest will be completed by the end of 2009. Currently we’ve finished the selection and training of 60 experts and interpreters and the first batch of experts will be dispatched soon. 8. The Dispatch of 300 Youth Volunteers We plan to send 100 youth volunteers to Africa every year from 2007 to 2009. According to the needs of African countries, their services areas include Chinese teaching, P.E., computer training and TCM diagnosis and treatment. By now, we’ve already dispatched 75 volunteers to Zimbabwe, Seychelles and Ethiopia and intend to send another 26 volunteers to Tunisia, Eritrea and Mauritius by the end of the year. The Chinese side will hold the “Departure Ceremony for Chinese Experts and Youth Volunteers to Africa” in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People on Nov 16, and we’d like your excellencies to witness the occasion. Ladies and Gentlemen, Although China and Africa are tens of thousands of miles apart geographically, we enjoy time-honored friendship. The common mission of development enables the Chinese people and the African people to communicate with and care for each other, seek complementarity and strengthen cooperation continuously. The Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation heralds in a new era for China-Africa Cooperation. In the spirit of friendship, peace, cooperation and development, we conduct the aid projects that carries our friendship for the African people and shows our sincere help for our African brothers. Over the past year, with our joint efforts, the implementation of the measures of the Beijing Summit has seen initial results, but we still have much work to do to materialize all the aid projects in a comprehensive way. In the future, we’ll strengthen our communication with the African side and listen carefully to their advice and suggestions for the successful implementation of the measures and the well-being of the African people. On behalf of the Department of Foreign Aid, please allow me to take this opportunity to extend our sincere thanks to your excellencies for your support and help for our work. In order to furnish your excellencies with a more concrete view of the design schemes of the AU Conference Center, the 30 hospitals and the 100 rural schools, we’ve prepared a video for your review. Thank you. |
| (Source: English Site of Department of Foreign Affairs) |
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