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Following the “trip of friendship” and “trip of cooperation” two years ago, Chinese president Hu Jintao is on another trip to the African continent. He is paying State visit to Mali, Senegal, Tanzania and Mauritius from February 10 to February 17, a trip to cement friendship and seek further cooperation.

Addressing the Third Ministerial Conference and the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), President Hu announced eight policy measures aimed at strengthening the pragmatic cooperation with Africa and at supporting the development of Africa countries. These measures are the solemn promises the Chinese government made to African countries and people. The policies range from project planning - both through money allocation and the setting of objectives - to project implementation and timetable, which were substantial and practical. Hu’s current trip will promote the implementation of the results from FOCAC Beijing Summit and deepen a new China-Africa strategic partnership.

The eight policy measures, which have been carried out smoothly, already began to yield positive results. China and African countries have agreed to establish a regular political dialogue mechanism for foreign ministers under the FOCAC framework to strengthen contacts and cooperation. China granted some least-developed African countries a tariff free treatment for their products and exempted 10.9 billion yuan worth of debt by 31 heavily indebted and least developed African countries that built diplomatic relations with China. The China-Africa Development Fund has funded some 20 project so far, while the building of the headquarters of the African Union, aided by the Chinese government, has started. China also sent volunteers and senior agricultural experts there, and helped building hospital, anti-malaria centers and schools. China will fulfill all the promises president Hu has made by end of this year.

International relations have undergone drastic changes over the past two years. The impact of the global financial meltdown is still expanding. China and African countries, being developing countries, are facing great challenges.

Part of Hu’s African trip is aiming to deepen cooperation and get through the hard times. The economic downturn will not find room to negatively affect the cooperation between China and Africa. President Hu is expected to exchange views with leaders from Mali, Senegal, Tanzania and Mauritius on the issues of common concern. He will also call for concerted effort and common endeavour to reduce that impact and to encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Africa.

Another goal for Hu’s trip is to inject more vitality to Sino-Africa ties. China and African countries share a profound traditional friendship, have a similar historical experience and are facing common tasks in their development. African countries attached great importance to infrastructure construction and China increased its aid and support for the construction of Africa’s infrastructures over the past years. Some key projects, such as the Tanzania-Zambia railway, the Cairo International Conference Centre as well as the Friendship Harbour in Mauritania had greatly helped those countries. President Hu will reiterate during his current trip that China will continue to give support to African countries.

The four African countries President Hu is going to visit are not all countries rich in natural resources. This proves that China is not pursuing the policy of a “new colonialism” in Africa. Mutual aid on energy and resources is only one part of a cooperation that covers many aspects and a wide range of issues.

At present, Sino-Africa ties are in a period of rapid and overall development. President Hu’s visit will certainly promote mutual trust, a win-win scenario in economic cooperation and a new strategic partnership in cultural exchange.

By People's Daily Online