Trade is the initial form of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. Along with the development of China-Africa relations and increased interaction, the scale of China-Africa trade has been expanding. 1950, China-Africa bilateral trade amounted to only 12.14 million U.S. dollars, reached 100 million U.S. dollars in 1960, and exceeded 1 billion U.S. dollars in 1980. 2000, China-Africa trade reached 10 billion U.S. dollars, and China-Africa trade has shown a rapid growth. From 2000 to 2008, the average annual growth rate of China-Africa trade was as high as 33.5%, the proportion of China's total foreign trade increased from 2.2% to 4.2%, and the proportion of Africa's total foreign trade increased from 3.8% to 10.4%. 2009, although China-Africa trade dropped to 91.07 billion US dollars due to the impact of the international financial crisis, China became the first country to be the largest trading partner of Africa in the world in that year. In 2009, although China-Africa trade dropped to 91.07 billion dollars due to the international financial crisis, China became Africa's top trading partner for the first time in that year. With the recovery of the world economy, China-Africa trade has shown a good recovery and development. from January to November 2010, China-Africa trade volume reached 114.81 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 43.5 percent year-on-year.
While expanding in scale, China-Africa trade structure has been gradually optimized, and products with comparative advantages of both sides have entered each other's market one after another.
In the 1980s and 1990s, China's exports to Africa were mainly in the areas of light industry, foodstuffs, chemicals and local livestock, etc. Since 2000, the exports of mechanical and electrical products such as machinery and equipment, automobiles, electronic products, and so on, have been growing remarkably, and the quality of commodities and their technological content have been greatly improved. The quality and technological content of the goods have been greatly improved. At present, the proportion of electromechanical products in China's exports to Africa has exceeded 50%. In terms of Africa's exports to China, primary products such as cotton and phosphate used to be the main commodities. In recent years, African steel, copper, fertilizers, electronic products and other manufactured products have entered the Chinese market one after another. At the same time, the growth of African agricultural exports to China has accelerated. Egyptian citrus, South African wine, Ghanaian cocoa beans, Ugandan coffee, Tunisian olive oil, Ethiopian sesame and other specialty products are gradually becoming familiar and popular among Chinese consumers. Affected by the international financial crisis, China's imports from Africa declined in 2009, but imports of agricultural products increased by 25%.
Over the years, China has followed the principle of mutual benefit, promoted trade facilitation, and pushed forward the comprehensive and balanced development of China-Africa trade. China has signed bilateral trade agreements with 45 African countries and strengthened cooperation in the fields of customs, taxation, inspection and quarantine, creating favorable conditions for the development of China-Africa trade. In order to support African countries in expanding their exports to China, since 2005, China has granted zero-tariff treatment to some of the commodities exported to China by African least developed countries that have established diplomatic relations with China. As of July 2010, the benefited commodities have been expanded to more than 4,700 tariff lines, and will gradually cover 95% of the commodities under all tariff lines of the Customs Import and Export Tariff Rules of the People's Republic of China. Driven by the zero-tariff policy, the export of beneficiary commodities from Africa to China has grown rapidly. From 2005 to the end of June 2010, China imported a total of 1.32 billion dollars of African commodities under zero-tariff treatment, including agricultural products, leather, stone, textiles and garments, machinery parts and components, base metals, wood products and so on. China has also helped African enterprises explore the Chinese market by organizing African commodity exhibitions, setting up African product exhibition and marketing centers, and providing preferential and facilitating measures such as reduction and exemption of booth fees.
At present, China and Africa are both in the process of industrialization and urbanization, with strong market demand, and China-Africa trade has great potential. As far as China is concerned, the export of African crude oil, minerals, steel, agricultural products and other commodities to China has played a positive role in promoting China's economic development and improving people's living standards. As far as Africa is concerned, Chinese products and technologies are suitable for Africa's development needs, and China's huge market also provides a broad space for African products. In particular, China's sustained and rapid economic development has provided a stable export market for African resource products. At the same time, the entry of inexpensive Chinese commodities into Africa can help improve the living standards of the African people, and help some African countries to control and alleviate inflation.
Second, expanding the field of mutual investment
China's investment in African countries began in the 1980s, and the initial scale was generally small. After entering the 1990s, the scale of China's investment in Africa has gradually expanded, the fields have been broadened, and the modes of investment have become more and more diversified. since 2000, driven by the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China's investment in Africa has been growing rapidly, and a diversified pattern of investment has gradually been formed. At the same time, African investment in China is also increasingly active, a number of African enterprises in the Chinese market development and growth.
In recent years, China's investment in Africa has shown new characteristics. First, the rapid growth of China's direct investment in Africa at the end of 2003 was 490 million U.S. dollars, while by the end of 2009, China's direct investment in Africa stock has grown to 9.33 billion U.S. dollars. Secondly, it is widely distributed. China's investment in Africa is distributed in 49 African countries, mainly to South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia, Sudan, Algeria, Egypt and other countries. Thirdly, it is rich in fields. It mainly involves mining, finance, manufacturing, construction, tourism, agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery. Fourthly, there are various ways. In addition to sole proprietorships and joint ventures, equity participation, mergers and acquisitions, as well as joint ventures with third-country enterprises to develop resources have gradually increased. Fifth, the main body is diversified. State-owned large and medium-sized enterprises, private enterprises and individual practitioners are all investing in Africa, each with their own strengths and complementing each other.
The Chinese government encourages and supports strong and reputable Chinese enterprises to expand their investment in Africa, and has taken measures to guide them, which has had an obvious driving effect. First, it has created a favorable investment environment by signing agreements and other means. So far, China has signed bilateral investment promotion and protection agreements with 33 African countries and double taxation agreements with 11 African countries, creating conditions for cooperation between Chinese and African enterprises. Secondly, it has set up the China-Africa Development Fund. The fund is an equity fund set up by Chinese financial institutions to support domestic enterprises to invest in Africa, and in the past three years since its establishment, it has made decisions to invest in more than 30 projects involving agricultural development, machinery manufacturing, electric power, building materials, industrial parks, mining and port logistics, etc. The first phase of the fund, amounting to US$1 billion, has already been approved. At present, the fund's first phase of 1 billion U.S. dollars has been arranged, and will be gradually expanded to 5 billion U.S. dollars. Third, promoting the construction of overseas economic and trade cooperation zones. Chinese enterprises, with the support of the governments of both sides, will carry out infrastructure development in the zones, and will be responsible for investment promotion, attracting Chinese and foreign enterprises to move into the zones and gradually forming industrial clusters. At present, China is building six ETZs in African countries such as Zambia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Egypt and Ethiopia, and has invested US$250 million in the infrastructure construction of the zones. Zambia-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone is the first overseas economic and trade cooperation zone set up by China in Africa, which has introduced 13 enterprises involving mining, exploration, non-ferrous metal processing, chemical industry, construction and other fields, and has completed the actual investment of 600 million U.S. dollars, which provides more than 6,000 jobs for the local community.
African countries are rich in resources, and development cooperation in the field of resources is an important part of China-Africa investment cooperation. In recent years, some Chinese enterprises have actively participated in the development of African resources in accordance with the principles of mutual benefit***win***and***development, helping African countries to develop the resource processing industry, improve the added value of resources, and transform resource advantages into the driving force of socio-economic development. In the course of cooperation, Chinese enterprises strictly follow international rules, adopt open, transparent and diversified forms of cooperation, do not monopolize or exclude, and develop and utilize resources in the same way as African countries and international enterprises***. Chinese enterprises' investment in this field has broadened the source of funds for Africa's development, enhanced the value of resources, as well as driven local infrastructure construction and economic development, and has won the broad welcome of local governments and people. For example, Chinese and Malaysian enterprises have cooperated with Sudan in the development of petroleum resources, helping Sudan establish a modern upstream and downstream integrated petroleum industry system, which has significantly increased Sudan's financial income and played an important role in improving people's lives.
Chinese enterprises in Africa, in the course of their operations, pay attention to the relationship with local people, adhere to the law, honest and trustworthy, strengthen resource conservation and environmental protection, the implementation of "localized" operations, employing a large number of local staff, and actively enhance the host country's capacity for independent development, accelerating their own development while contributing to the development of the local economy. It has also contributed to the development of the local economy while accelerating its own development. For example, China's mineral enterprises in Zambia, not only invested in the construction of smelters to improve the efficiency of the use of local copper resources, but also in the international financial crisis after the commitment, "not to reduce a ton of production, not to lay off an employee, not to reduce the investment in one point," to become the country's seven foreign-funded mining enterprises in the only no production cuts, layoffs.
In recent years, with the economic development of Africa and the expansion of China's market potential, African enterprises are increasingly active in investment in China. Among them, Mauritius, South Africa, Seychelles, Nigeria, Tunisia and other major African investment in China. South African enterprises have joint ventures in China and **** operate nearly 70 breweries. The fertilizer enterprise jointly established by Tunisian and Chinese enterprises in China has become one of China's large-scale compound fertilizer production bases. By the end of 2009, African countries had invested a total of 9.93 billion U.S. dollars in direct investment in China, involving petrochemicals, machinery and electronics, transportation and communications, light industry and home appliances, clothing and textiles, biopharmaceuticals, agricultural development, entertainment and catering, real estate and other fields. Africa's investment in China reflects the complementarity of advantages and has also boosted China's commodity exports to Africa and other regions.
Third, China attaches importance to infrastructure construction
Poor infrastructure is the bottleneck that restricts the development of many African countries, and infrastructure construction is one of the key areas of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. China attaches importance to supporting African countries in improving their infrastructure conditions, and has helped them build housing, roads, bridges, railroads, airports, ports, communications, electricity, water supply and drainage, hospitals and other infrastructures by means of aid, project contracting, investment cooperation and expanded financing, which have had a positive impact on Africa's development. China encourages and supports Chinese enterprises to participate in the construction of infrastructure in African countries, and requires them to emphasize contracts, keep promises, and complete the construction of projects with quality.
Over the years, China has assisted African countries to build a large number of infrastructure projects. in the 1970s, when its own economy was still very difficult, China assisted in the construction of more than 1,860 kilometers of Tanzania - Zambia Railway, which has become a historical testimony of China's selfless assistance to Africa. The Cairo International Convention Center in Egypt, built with China's assistance, has a total floor area of 58,000 square meters, and holds hundreds of international conferences and exhibitions every year, which promotes the development of local commerce and tourism. By the end of 2009, China had assisted in the construction of more than 500 infrastructure projects in Africa, including the Beledweyne-Burao Highway in Somalia, the Friendship Port in Mauritania, the Meygerd-Cape Avalanche Aqueduct in Tunisia and the Tanzanian National Stadium. A number of projects such as the African Union Conference Center are under construction.
In order to support African countries to improve infrastructure conditions, the Chinese government has provided a large number of loans of a preferential nature and supported Chinese financial institutions to expand the scale of commercial loans to Africa. In particular, since the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China has continuously increased its financing efforts to Africa. from 2007 to 2009, China provided $5 billion in preferential loans and preferential export buyer's credits to Africa. from 2010 to 2012, China plans to provide $10 billion in preferential loans to Africa. The preferential loans have supported large-scale projects under construction, including the airport in Mauritius, the Malabo Residence in Equatorial Guinea, and the Bwi hydroelectric power plant in Ghana.
China's engineering enterprises, in accordance with internationally recognized rules, have constructed a large number of high-quality, low-cost infrastructure projects in Africa through competitive bidding, which are urgently needed in Africa. From housing and roads to airports, oil refineries, telecommunication networks and hydropower stations, the technical content of the projects has been improving and the scale of the projects has been enlarging; from bidding by a single enterprise to bidding by a consortium of international enterprises, the Chinese enterprises have demonstrated their strength, accumulated experience, cultivated talents, and enhanced their international operation capability in Africa. Large-scale projects completed by Chinese enterprises include Sheraton Hotel in Algeria, national telecommunication network in Ethiopia, and Lovi Dam in Sultanate of Denmark. Large-scale projects under construction include social housing in Angola, Libyan coastal railroad, Lagos light rail in Nigeria, and so on.
Chinese enterprises have taken the initiative to assume social responsibility and actively engaged in public welfare projects that benefit local people, which have won the full affirmation and positive evaluation from the governments and public of the host countries. In Africa, Chinese enterprises have donated funds to build roads, bridges, wells, hospitals and schools, as well as materials, making positive contributions to the development of local communities. For example, the public welfare work of Chinese enterprises in Sudan has benefited more than 2 million people; the China-Nigeria Friendship Primary School donated in Nigeria has eased the pressure on basic education in 300 local villages; and the vocational training centers constructed in Angola, Libya and other countries have already trained a large number of trainees.
IV. Strengthening Capacity Building for Development
Development is the most pressing issue facing Africa, and the lack of technology and human resources is an important constraint on Africa's development. The Chinese government attaches great importance to capacity building for Africa's development, and has made efforts to help African countries enhance their own "blood-forming" function through cooperation in human resources development with African countries and dispatching foreign aid experts and young volunteers to Africa.
Strengthening educational exchanges and cooperation. China and Africa have carried out fruitful cooperation in education, cultivating a large number of talents for Africa. By the end of 2009, China had provided assistance to build 107 schools in Africa and offered government scholarships to 29,465 African students. At present, the Chinese Government provides about 5,000 scholarships to African countries every year. China has also strengthened cooperation with African countries in higher education, vocational education and distance learning, and has set up specialized laboratories in Africa for biology, computer science, analytical chemistry, food preservation and processing, horticulture and civil engineering.
Conducting management and technical training. China has helped Africa cultivate management and technical talents in various ways. As of June 2010, China has trained more than 30,000 people of various kinds of personnel for African countries, covering more than 20 fields such as economy, public **** administration, agriculture, animal husbandry and fishery, health care, science and technology, environmental protection and so on. In addition, Chinese enterprises in Africa have trained a large number of skilled technicians for their host countries through the establishment of training centers, on-the-job training, and the selection and dispatch of outstanding employees to China for training.
Practical technical training. In many African countries, China conducts practical technical training in planting, aquaculture, fishery, weaving, embroidery, leather processing, etc. For example, China has provided training for post-war refugees in Liberia. For example, China has organized a number of training courses on bamboo and rattan weaving for post-war refugees, school dropouts and poor farmers in Liberia to promote the development of the local bamboo and rattan industry. By selling their homemade products, the trainees of the bamboo and rattan weaving training courses can earn up to 150 US dollars a month, which effectively improves their living conditions.
Sending foreign aid experts and young volunteers. By the end of 2009, China had dispatched 104 senior agricultural experts to 33 African countries to help them formulate agricultural development plans and carry out agricultural technology guidance and training. Experts have also been dispatched to guide the production and operation of Chinese-aided projects, train local management personnel, and help African countries master the ability to independently manage their projects. In cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), China has also signed Tripartite Agreements on South-South Cooperation with Mauritania, Ghana, Ethiopia, Gabon, Sierra Leone, Mali and Nigeria, and has dispatched a total of more than 600 Chinese agricultural experts and technicians to these countries. By the end of 2009, China had sent 312 young volunteers to Africa, providing volunteer services in Chinese language teaching, medical and health care, sports teaching, computer training and international rescue.
V. Helping to improve people's livelihood
Improving public **** facilities, solving the food problem, improving health conditions, and reducing the burden of foreign debt are important livelihood issues related to Africa's realization of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). China pays great attention to the development of people's livelihood in Africa, helping African countries to build public ****welfare facilities, raise agricultural standards, improve medical and health conditions, and actively carry out debt reduction, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance to Africa.
China has actively assisted in the construction of public **** welfare facilities. China has assisted African countries in building a large number of low-cost housing, well-drilling, water supply, sewage treatment, radio and television broadcasting and communication facilities, and other public welfare projects, which have played a positive role in improving the living standards of local people. For example, the low-cost housing projects in Seychelles, Mozambique, Angola and Ethiopia have improved the living conditions of the local people; the well-drilling projects in Nigeria, Senegal and Equatorial Guinea, the water supply system in Tanzania's Charlize, and the water supply project in Niger's Zindel have solved the problem of water supply for the local people's daily life; and the National Television Center in Equatorial Guinea has met the needs of local television signal transmission and coverage.
Carry out various forms of agricultural cooperation. Food security is related to Africa's stable development and poverty alleviation. Agriculture is the pillar industry of most African countries and a priority area for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. China has always taken helping Africa solve the problem of food security as the fundamental purpose of China-Africa agricultural cooperation. The main areas of China-Africa agricultural cooperation include agricultural infrastructure construction, food production, aquaculture, exchange and transfer of practical agricultural technology, and processing, storage and transportation of agricultural products. By the end of 2009, China*** had assisted in the construction of 142 agricultural technology experiment stations, extension stations, farms and other agricultural projects in Africa, launched 14 agricultural technology demonstration center projects, and provided large quantities of agricultural materials and agricultural equipment to African countries. The Chinese government also encourages Chinese enterprises to invest in agricultural product processing and agricultural development projects in Africa.
Improving medical and health conditions in Africa. China's assistance in building hospitals, dispatching medical teams, and providing medicines and medical supplies are the main measures China has taken to help African countries improve their medical and health conditions. By the end of 2009, China had built 54 hospitals in Africa, set up 30 malaria prevention and treatment centers, and provided anti-malaria medicines worth about 200 million yuan to 35 African countries. Since 1963, China has continued to send medical teams to Africa, and has sent 18,000 foreign-aided medical personnel to 46 African countries, treating more than 200 million patients and training tens of thousands of medical technicians in Africa. Chinese medical teams not only diagnose and treat common and frequent diseases, but also create conditions to carry out difficult surgeries such as treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, reimplantation of severed limbs, and removal of huge tumors, saving many patients with life-threatening illnesses and filling in the gaps in the medical treatment of many recipient countries. At present, there are more than 1,000 Chinese medical team members in 41 African countries to provide medical services.
Reducing Africa's debt burden. The Chinese government has consistently supported African countries in their debt relief efforts and helped them reduce their debt burden to China. From 2000 to 2009, China has forgiven 312 debts of 35 African countries, totaling 18.96 billion yuan. The above debt reduction initiatives reflect China's desire and determination to help Africa realize development, and also promote the international community's debt reduction process for Africa.
Carrying out disaster reduction, relief and humanitarian assistance. China and Africa are actively engaged in personnel exchanges, technical cooperation and experience sharing in the fields of disaster reduction and relief. When African countries are affected by natural disasters and wars, China insists on providing timely humanitarian assistance to them. As its national strength increases, China's humanitarian assistance to Africa continues to grow, and in 2003, when a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Algeria, China quickly provided emergency relief materials and dispatched an international rescue team, with a total of 5.36 million US dollars in relief aid; in 2004, China formally set up a mechanism for emergency humanitarian relief and disaster assistance, making its assistance operations more efficient and effective. In recent years, China has provided emergency material assistance in the form of food and tents to the Sudan, Madagascar, Burundi, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia, Lesotho and Zimbabwe, helping these countries to strengthen their capacity to withstand disasters and rebuild after disasters. Since 2004, China has provided nearly 150 million yuan of non-reimbursable aid to Sudan for the provision of humanitarian supplies and the implementation of well-drilling and water supply projects in the Darfur region.
VI. Broadening China-Africa Cooperation
In recent years, China-Africa cooperation has been expanding, with finance, tourism, aviation and environmental protection gradually becoming new areas and highlights of China-Africa cooperation. China and Africa also support each other and strengthen cooperation on global issues such as addressing climate change in multilateral frameworks.
Expanding financial cooperation. The Chinese government supports China-Africa financial institutions to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and provide a full range of financial services for enterprises on both sides. China Development Bank, Export-Import Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Bank of China, and China Construction Bank have spread their business across the African continent, providing services such as international settlement, trade, and financing, which cover manufacturing, energy, communications, electricity, water supply, transportation, agriculture, logistics, and other industries. Chinese financial institutions have set up branches or representative offices in Zambia, South Africa and Egypt. China has joined the African Development Bank and the West African Development Bank, and has supported the cause of poverty reduction and development in Africa through donations, debt reduction and the establishment of bilateral technical cooperation funds. Financial institutions in African countries are also actively expanding their business with China. By the end of 2009, six banks from five African countries, including Egypt, Morocco, Cameroon, South Africa and Nigeria, had set up branches or representative offices in China.
Promoting tourism cooperation. Tourism is one of the emerging industries that African countries are concerned about, and is becoming a new growth point for China-Africa service trade. China has been actively promoting tourism cooperation with African countries, and in 2002, Egypt became the first African destination for outbound tourism organized by Chinese citizens. By the end of 2009, 28 countries and regions in Africa*** had become destinations for outbound tourism organized by Chinese mainland citizens; in 2009, there were 381,000 trips of Chinese mainland citizens visiting Africa for the first time, a year-on-year increase of 18.5%; and there were 401,000 trips of African tourists coming to China, a year-on-year increase of 6%. Chinese enterprises have also opened travel agencies and restaurants in Africa and participated in hotel construction and management.
Strengthening air transportation cooperation. China encourages aviation enterprises on both sides to establish more cooperative relationships and open more direct routes connecting China and Africa to facilitate people-to-people exchanges and cargo transportation between the two sides. By the end of 2009, China had formally signed civil air transportation agreements with 15 countries, including Ethiopia, Angola, Zambia and South Africa, and initialed civil air transportation agreements with six countries, including Seychelles, Libya and Uganda. At present, airlines from Egypt, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Algeria have opened direct flights to Beijing and Guangzhou. Chinese airlines have launched direct flights from Beijing to Lagos, Nigeria, Luanda, Angola and Khartoum, Sudan. In addition, China's aviation authorities through the International Civil Aviation Organization and other channels, and actively carry out cooperation in aid of Africa, commitment from 2008 to 2011, each year to the International Civil Aviation Organization "African aviation security comprehensive regional implementation plan" donation of 100,000 U.S. dollars to help Africa to improve civil aviation safety level.
Cooperation on environmental protection. Environmental protection and combating climate change are the same issues facing the world. Under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China and African countries have held a conference on China-Africa environmental protection cooperation, implemented the China-Africa human resources and environmental training program, and set up the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) China-Africa Environment Center. The Chinese Government has initiated the establishment of a China-Africa partnership to address climate change, and has strengthened cooperation in such areas as satellite meteorological monitoring, the development and utilization of new energy sources, desertification prevention and control, and urban environmental protection. China has had in-depth exchanges of views with African countries on international negotiations on climate change and other issues, and has safeguarded the common interests of developing countries***. China supports Africa's legitimate right to address climate change, and has taken into account the concerns of the African side to the greatest extent possible on issues such as long-term emission reduction targets. China is also committed to not competing with Africa for assistance in terms of funding, and will provide assistance in terms of funding, technology and capacity building in the light of Africa's actual needs. At present, China has carried out cooperation with some African countries in biogas technology, hydropower, solar and wind power generation.
Seven, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) plays a leading role
In 2000, China and African countries*** created the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). So far, the forum has held four ministerial conferences and one summit, and established a multi-level mechanism for dialog and cooperation, including ministerial conferences, senior officials' meetings and entrepreneurs' conferences. Thanks to the joint efforts of China and Africa***, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has become an important platform for collective dialog and an effective mechanism for practical cooperation between China and Africa. FOCAC has strengthened political mutual trust between China and Africa, led and driven China-Africa cooperation, including economic and trade cooperation, and continuously enriched the connotation of China-Africa relations and raised the level of China-Africa relations.
Since the first ministerial meeting of FOCAC in 2000, China has continuously launched new economic and trade initiatives to promote the in-depth development of China-Africa economic and trade relations on the basis of long-term cooperation, mutual respect, and equal consultation, centering on the opportunities and challenges facing the development of China and Africa. These economic and trade initiatives are in line with Africa's development needs and reflect the Chinese government's pragmatic and innovative spirit in China-Africa cooperation.
At the First Ministerial Conference, China announced measures such as debt relief for Africa, encouraging enterprises to invest in Africa and training professionals. At the Second Ministerial Conference in 2003, China announced measures to increase assistance to Africa, strengthen cooperation in human resources development, and grant duty-free treatment to some products exported to China by African least developed countries that have established diplomatic relations with China.
At the Beijing Summit and the Third Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2006, China announced eight initiatives aimed at strengthening practical cooperation between China and Africa and supporting Africa's development, including expanding the scale of assistance, providing loans of a preferential nature, assisting in the construction of the African Union Conference Center, expanding the scope of tariff-free commodities to be benefited, setting up the China-Africa Development Fund, constructing overseas economic and trade cooperation zones, and setting up agricultural technology demonstration centers and malaria prevention and treatment centers. With the joint efforts of China and Africa, these eight initiatives were fully implemented by the end of 2009.
At the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in 2009, the Chinese side announced eight new initiatives in the areas of agriculture, environmental protection, investment promotion, debt relief, expanded market access, education, healthcare, etc., which further emphasized the improvement of people's livelihoods in Africa, the strengthening of agricultural cooperation, the intensification of cooperation in the area of human resources development, and the enhancement of Africa's capacity for independent development. These initiatives are based on helping African countries to solve their current practical difficulties, focusing on helping Africa to realize sustainable development, and further consolidating the foundation of Africa's economic and social development.
A series of economic and trade initiatives put forward by China at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) have benefited all African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, and have brought tangible benefits to the African countries and people concerned. In the future, the Chinese government will continue to work with African countries*** in the spirit of mutual benefit***win, friendly consultation, pragmatism and efficiency to strengthen economic and trade cooperation within the framework of the forum and to promote the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership for further development.