The Third Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) opens this morning to review the FOCAC's achievements since its establishment six years ago, and to prepare for the Beijing Summit, which will be held between November 4 and 5 at the Great Hall of the People.

Already considered a great event in the history of China-Africa relations, the summit will serve as a platform on which Chinese and African leaders will jointly review the history of China-Africa friendship and co-operation.

They will also discuss ways to establish and develop a new strategic Sino-African partnership that will feature equality and mutual political benefits, win-win economic co-operation and continued exchanges, particularly cultural exchanges.

All in all, they will jointly map out a blueprint for the future development of China-Africa relations, and work out a specific plan for such co-operation in the economic and trade areas in the next three years.

To advance Sino-African co-operation, it is necessary to review the past six years of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation.

First forum laid good foundation

The friendly relations between China and Africa began in 1956, when China and Egypt established diplomatic relations. Over the next 44 years, China and many African countries expanded their co-operation in areas ranging from politics, economy, trade, culture, education and health, with remarkable achievements.

As the new century began, with the end of the Cold War, developing countries, such as China and African countries, felt the need for further co-operation in order to deal with increasing challenges, as well as opportunities that the new century posed.

In fact, some African countries proposed that China and African countries should establish a new mechanism for collective dialogue and co-operation. The Chinese Government accepted the proposal and put forward the initiative of hosting a China-Africa Co-operation Forum, so that China and African countries could exchange their views and co-ordinate their positions on major issues through this multilateral consultation mechanism.

The principles

In October 1999, the then Chinese President Jiang Zemin sent letters to heads of state of all African countries with diplomatic ties with China and Secretary-General Salim Ahmed Salim of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), officially proposing convening a ministerial conference in Beijing in 2000 of the FOCAC.

In his letter, he spelled out the principles of "carrying out consultation on an equal footing, enhancing understanding, increasing consensus, promoting friendship and furthering co-operation."

The topics for discussion at the first FOCAC included "how to promote the building of a new international political and economic order so as to safeguard the common interests of developing countries in the 21st century" and "how to further China-Africa co-operation in trade and economy in the new era."

The African leaders gave immediate responses to President Jiang's letters, voicing their support of the proposal and their intent to send ministers to attend the proposed conference.

In January 2000, then Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and then Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation Shi Guangsheng jointly issued invitations to the foreign ministers and the ministers in charge of foreign trade and economic co-operation affairs of the African countries with diplomatic ties with China and soon received positive feedback.

Following a year of intense effort from both sides, the first Ministerial Conference of FOCAC was held in Beijing from October 10 to 12, 2000, which was a great success and scored substantial results.

Then Chinese President Jiang Zemin, then Premier Zhu Rongji and then Vice-President Hu Jintao, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of the Democratic People's Republic of Algeria, President Gnasinbe Eyadema of the Republic of Togo, President Frederic Chiluba of the Republic of Zambia, President Benjamin William Mkapa of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Secretary General of the Organization of African Unity Salim Ahmed Salim attended the opening ceremony and delivered important speeches.

Actual meeting

Also attending were 80 ministers from 44 African countries with diplomatic relations with China, representatives of 17 regional and international organizations and executives from the business communities in China and Africa. More than 500 people from African countries attended the forum.

Meanwhile, the leaders from 20 provinces and about 100 representatives of more than 50 Chinese enterprises were able to hold in-depth discussions with African officials on how to expand trade and economic co-operation.

The first FOCAC ended with the signing of the Beijing Declaration of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation and the Programme for China-Africa Co-operation in Economic and Social Development.

"The Declaration" reflects the consensus reached by China and Africa on major international and political issues, especially on establishing a new international political and economic order, and the common wish to further Sino-African friendly co-operative relations.

"The Programme for China-Africa Co-operation" primarily specified the concrete plans and measures that would be taken in China-Africa economic co-operation.

The two documents served as a guide for China and Africa to advance the development of co-operative relationships and step up co-operation at all levels and in all areas.

Meanwhile, the forum established a collective dialogue mechanism for China and Africa to hold regular discussions. Both sides agreed to hold a summit every two years and a ministerial conference every three years.

At the same time, the Chinese Government announced the reduction or exemption of debts amounting to 10 billion yuan (US$1.25 billion) owed by the heavily indebted poor countries and less developed countries in Africa.

The Chinese Government also pledged that it would set aside special funds to encourage Chinese enterprises to launch co-operation projects in Africa.

China promised to establish the African Human Resources Development Fund to help African countries train professionals.

Enjoying the benefits

Between 2001 and 2003, before the convocation of the forum of the second ministerial conference, great progress was made in follow-up actions to carry out the declaration and action plan.

Bilateral exchanges of senior officials and various types of professionals at different levels became more frequent, and the political consultation mechanism increasingly diversed.

Chinese leaders paid 20 visits to Africa, and more than 30 African leaders visited China.

China and its African partners enhanced their co-operation in international affairs, supporting each other in the United Nations and other multilateral arenas to safeguard the legitimate interests and rights of both sides.

Meanwhile, trade between China and Africa grew at an average annual rate of 20 per cent, rising from US$10.6 billion in 2000 to US$12.389 billion in 2002.

By the end of October 2003, bilateral trade had amounted to US$14.98 billion. China's investment in Africa also grew, with 117 Chinese enterprises of various types launched in Africa in the three years.

Meanwhile, China has continued to offer aid to African countries to the best of its financial ability by increasing its total amount of aid to African countries, and steadily expanding the ratio of gratis aid.

With the implementation of the "African Human Resources Development Fund" programme, China held nearly 300 training courses for about 7,000 African professionals. It has also sent more than 500 experts and teachers to Africa.

Source: China Daily