South-South Cooperation: China Begins Fulfilling Pledge To Support Africa

Chinese Foreign Minister, WangYi, held a press conference in the capital, Beijing, on March 8, 2017.

China has fulfilled its promise to spend 60 Billion US Dollars (about 5,396 Billion FCFA) on Africa’s development. The pledge was made in December 2015 at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in South Africa. Speaking at a press conference in the Chinese capital, Beijing, on March 8, 2017, Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, said almost all the money pledged at the Johannesburg summit has already been disbursed or scheduled for spending. .

“China and Africa are closely knit partners who share a common future. There will be no reduction in Chinese support to Africa,” the Minister promised. Some of the projects promised in Johannesburg include ongoing port development in Tanzania, a railway in Pointe Noire in Congo Brazzaville, the construction of free trade zone facilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and others in Djibouti,” Wang Yi disclosed. He added that ties between China and Africa were now focused on capital investments – thus, the need to speed up work.

“China supported Africa’s quest for independence and will continue to assist in its economic growth,” he pledged. Asked about the recent reestablishment of diplomatic ties between China and The Gambia and Sao Tome and Principe at the expense of Taiwan, the Chinese Foreign Minister said this was evidence that the international community acknowledges that there is only one China as recognised by the United Nations. On the forthcoming ninth Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, BRICS, summit in China this year, Wang Yi said it will be an eventful moment.

“The summit is expected to evaluate the implementation of economic partnership and past summit agreements as well as hold dialogue with other developing countries,” he explained. He added that cultural and film festivals will also be organised. Questions on Speaking at the Forum on China Africa Cooperation in South Africa, Xi outlined 10 areas that will receive funding including infrastructure projects, aid for drought-stricken countries and thousands of scholarships for African students. The Chinese government will also cancel outstanding debts for Africa's least developed countries in the form of zero interest loans that mature at the end of 2015, he said.

Xi also promised to provide assistance to help upgrade African health care facilities, train hundreds of journalists and provide satellite reception in 10,000 African villages. Speaking at the Forum on China Africa Cooperation in South Africa, Xi outlined 10 areas that will receive funding including infrastructure projects, aid for drought-stricken cou...