Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) holds a news conference for China's media in Shangri-La Hotel in Shanghai, China on May 12, 2007.

The press was held before The 2007 Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the African Development Bank Group which will kick off from 16 to 17 May 2007.

"We are glad to be invited by Chinese Government to meet here in Shanghai. This is a crucial period in the relationship between China and Africa. This meeting provides opportunity for enhancing the relationship." Said Mr. Kaberuka.

As far as the significance of this annual meeting held in Shanghai are concerned, Mr. Kaberuka said that China is a fast-growing country in the world, and China is also a fast-growing market in the world. "We are keen to know how this is happened. We are keen to consolidate the links between China and Africa. We will discuss subjects on common interests between China and Africa. This meeting provides an opportunity for both sides to exchange what our ideas in relationship," he said.

In terms of the role played by the African Development Bank, he said that they should examine ways their bank can play a big role in this relationship both promoting the publicity of Africa and promoting the business in Africa."

Mr. Kaberuka also provides his opinions on sustainable development in Africa's economy as well as the cooperation between Africa and China. "The only way we find opportunity whatever in China or Africa is economic growth. We have a good groove, and this must continue for quite a long time. But it is not enough to have economic growth to fight poverty. The growth must be shared. Many people must participate in it. If economy only grows for men while women not participate in it, that's not sustainable; if it grows for some regions, that's not sustainable; if that causes some damages, that's not sustainable. We need to find a way in which we can have a long-period growth, which is sustained. The economic growth that we can not keep sustainable is the issue we'd like to discuss with our Chinese friends to see how to support Africa's development." Mr. Kaberuka said.

As for the theme of "Africa and Asia: Partners in Development" for this annual meeting, Mr. Kaberuka thinks it is pertinent, and he praised Asia's efforts and achievements in quickly recovering from the financial crisis in 1997. He also said that the partnership for Asia and Africa has been kept for centuries, and it will move to another level. He wants to see their bank to play a role in this relationship.

Moreover, Mr. Kaberuka said they would like to invite more and more China's business communities to look at different parts of Africa. He informed that the climate for business people in Africa has been improving.

People's Daily Online