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President Mugabe chats with his Chinese counterpart President Xi on arrival at Harare International Airport on Tuesday. With them are the First Ladies Amai Grace Mugabe and Peng Liyuan — (Picture by Believe Nyakudjara)

Jonisayi Maromo Correspondent
THE first Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac) to be held on the African continent on Friday and Saturday will be the cornerstone of improved future relations, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

“The China-Africa cooperation is about helping in the development of African brothers and making sure that this world will be fairer, more secure and more inclusive,” Wang said through an interpreter at the Focac ministerial meeting in Pretoria.

“We have reason to believe that with joint efforts of China and Africa, this summit will be a historic gathering, to strengthen China-Africa solidarity,” said Wang.

“It (Focac) will guide future development of China and Africa.

“It will be a very significant chapter in the history of China-Africa relations. This year is the 15th anniversary of the Focac and in the past 15 years it has been an important platform for collective dialogue and an efficient mechanism for practical cooperation.”

The ministerial meeting precedes the Focac summit, which will be attended by representatives of more than 50 African countries, mainly heads of state, and the Chinese president Xi Jinping, who is already in South Africa.

Wang referred to China as “a friend of Africa”.

He said his country hoped to deepen existing relations with African states.

The Focac summit will be held in Johannesburg on Friday and Saturday.

South African President Jacob Zuma (right) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping after their joint media conference at Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, yesterday. — Agencies

Xi and his Chinese delegation were welcomed at the Union Buildings in Pretoria by President Jacob Zuma.

The two presidents briefed media after a closed-door meeting on Wednesday. On Thursday, International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said the relationship between African countries and China is mutually beneficial, unlike wrong perceptions which portray otherwise.

“We need to show that going forward, Focac continues to be an effective cooperative partnership that serves the core interests of all its members.

“We look at the People’s Republic of China as a trustworthy development partner with a long term strategic commitment to the African continent which equally supports Africa’s needs while looking to its own,” she said.

Nkoana-Mashabane said a clear message should be sent out that the relations between Africa and China were mutually beneficial, to counter the “misconstrued perception that this is a one-sided, self-serving relationship”.

“Ours is a true partnership which has stood the test of time”.

She said though endowed with vast resources, particularly minerals, African countries were struggling to ensure that the wealth benefits and transforms the lives of the continent’s citizens.

“The challenge is to utilise these assets more effectively, to transform the lives of our people,” she said.

“We are living in an era of global competitiveness and cutting-edge technological advances. The People’s Republic of China has proven to possess the competitive edge and workmanship capable of partnering with Africa to advance the cause of peace, prosperity and mutual benefits.”

Nkoana-Mashabane said the upcoming Focac summit must ensure that African countries and China reap economic rewards.

“We have gathered here today to reflect on how Focac forum can be used to advance common growth and development that is mutually beneficiary to the people of the Republic of China and our African continent.

We hope that through our engagement today, we can forge closer cooperation, share experiences and best practices to assist our respective regions to move another step forward.

She said programmes to ensure that Africans benefit from their natural resources need acceleration.

“We would want to say to our friends, the Chinese, you have chosen a good friend in us.

“We are a continent on the move. In this room is a convergence of leadership that represents 2,5 billion people of the globe. You are here at the right time when Africa is on the rise.”

“Africa has a population of more than 60 percent still below 35 years.

“The investment in us, is an investment for the future,” said Nkoana-Mashabane.

The Focac summit will be held under the theme “Africa-China Progressive Together: Win-Win Cooperation for Common Development”. — African News Agency.