China to complete Africa cooperation plan in 3 years

The Director-General of African Affairs at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, Lin Songtian, on Monday, restated his government’s commitment to support the development of African countries in the next three years.

Mr. Lin told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the Chinese government would in the next three years follow​ ​up on the outcome of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit.

“Let me reassure African countries, including Nigeria, that the ​10​ areas of cooperation announced by President Xi Jinping at the Summit would be completed within the next three years.

“Whenever the Chinese government makes any promise, we always ensure that such promises or development projects are executed,” he said.

Mr. Lin, who ​is ​also the Secretary General of the ​f​ollow-​up ​c​ommittee on FOAC, said the Chinese government would, within the period, support African countries in industrialisation, agricultural modernisation and infrastructure development.

He also listed other areas of cooperation to include financial, green development, trade and investment facilitation, poverty reduction, public health, cultural and people-to-people interaction, as well as peace and security plans.

The Chinese official said the move was to make African countries self-dependent, as well as fast-track their overall development.

Mr. Lin, an ambassador, said the Chinese government had already set aside “huge” sums of money toward​s ​​​the ​realisation of these set areas of cooperation within the period.

“We earnestly want African countries to develop because we regard African countries as our brothers and partners in progress.

“We are committed to promoting our win-win-cooperation with our dear African countries and friends.

“We want to see these countries develop in all areas, so that they also become self-dependent,” he added.

(NAN)