Support for Africa 'not a temporary measure'

China "values the opinions, supports the stances and maintains the reasonable demands of African nations be respected."

A Foreign Ministry official in charge of African affairs said: "China's firm support for Africa is not a temporary measure."

In an interview with the Xinhua News Agency, the official said China's presence as an observer at the seventh African Union (AU) summit, held in the Gambian capital of Banjul, was part of a series of strategic actions this year, following visits to Africa by President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao in April and June.

A summit meeting of the China-Africa Co-operation Forum is slated to be held in Beijing in November.

"These frequent high-level exchanges signify a new level of strategic cooperation, which is increasingly demonstrated in international and regional issues," analysts said.

African countries have offered generous support to China on resuming its legal status in the United Nations, thwarting Taiwan's attempt to join the World Health Organization and other international issues.

On UN reform, China maintains the importance of increasing the representation of developing countries, particularly African nations.

On the WTO negotiations, China proposes to reduce subsidies on agricultural produces, cut tariffs, wipe out obstacles for technology transfer and promote other policies beneficial to African nations.

"China-Africa co-operation in regional issues has become a highlight of our strategic partnership," said He Wenping, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

China offered the AU special donations of US$400,000 in 2005 and 2006 respectively, to carry the out peacekeeping operations in Darfur, the war-torn western region of Sudan.

A total of 1,295 Chinese peacekeepers and 37 policemen for civilian services are joining the UN operations in Africa.

Since 2000, China has provided annual aid of US$300,000 to the AU. China has also sent representatives to the union and other African organizations.

Source: China Daily