China & AU to enhance cooperation
February 15, 2013, 2:38 pm

China and the African Union exchanged views on the situation in Africa and other issues of common concern. [Xinhua]

Yang Jiechi, Chinese foreign minister and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, AU Commission chairperson co-chaired the talks – the first of which was held in 2008.

Yang said China is willing to expand cooperation with the AU in a variety of fields, including infrastructure, agriculture, human resources and media, in a bid to advance the development of China-Africa ties.

“As the AU joined in the forum on China-Africa cooperation, whose fifth ministerial conference launched a train of measures concerning cooperation with the AU, relations between the two sides now have a solid foundation,” Yang said.

China and the AU should further coordination in international and regional affairs, Yang added.

Trade between China and African countries in the first 10 months of 2012 increased by 20 per cent from a year earlier to $163.9 billion, according to China’s commerce ministry.

China’s ministry of commerce is also offering support for its companies that are investing in Africa through favourable lending terms.

A factor attributed to the increase of Chinese non-financial direct investment in Africa to $1.5 billion from January to October 2012, up 17 per cent compared with the previous year.

Dlamini-Zuma thanked China for its support on the cause of peace and development in Africa, noting that Africa regards China as a trustworthy partner.

Africa would like to draw on China’s experiences in readjusting its economic structure, thus promoting its continuous development, said Dlamini-Zuma.

Both sides also exchanged views on the situation in Africa and other international and regional issues of common concern.

Dlamini-Zuma is visiting China from February 4-17 as a guest of the government.

Source: Agencies