The African Policy Paper was issued by the Chinese government in Beijing on Thursday, presenting to the world that China will develop a new type of strategic partnership with Africa, featuring political equality and mutual trust, economic win-win cooperation and cultural exchange.
China will unswervingly carry forward the tradition of China-Africa friendship, the paper said.
The general principles and objectives of China's African policy are as follows:
-- Sincerity, friendship and equality. China adheres to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, respects African countries' independent choice of the road of development and supports African countries' efforts to grow stronger through unity.
-- Mutual benefit, reciprocity and common prosperity. China supports African countries' endeavor for economic development and nation building, carries out cooperation in various forms in the economic and social development, and promotes common prosperity of China and Africa.
-- Mutual support and close coordination. China will strengthen cooperation with Africa in the United Nations and other multilateral systems by supporting each other's just demands and reasonable propositions, and continue to appeal to the international community to give more attention to questions concerning peace and development in Africa.
-- Learning from each other and seeking common development. China and Africa will learn from and draw upon each other's experience in governance and development, strengthen exchange and cooperation in education, science, culture and health. Supporting African countries' efforts to enhance capacity building, China will work together with Africa in the exploration of the road of sustainable development.
The paper is divided into six parts and is the first of its kind. Among the 53 countries in Africa, 47 have established diplomatic relations with China.
(Xinhua News Agency January 12, 2006)
