No 'selfish interests' in African deals (Agencies/chinadaily.com.cn) Updated: 2006-06-20 08:38
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) visits African Union chairman and
Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso in Republic of Congo's capital
Brazzaville June 19, 2006. [Reuters] |
China signed seven cooperation accords with the Republic of Congo as Premier
Wen Jiabao reiterated to the press that Beijing had no "selfish interests" in
pursing deals in Africa.
Wen was in the Congo on the third stop of a seven-nation swing tour around
Africa, where China has pushed for investment deals, closer trade relationship,
and more amicable political friendship.
In Brazzaville, Wen said that in cooperating with the African continent,
China is not seeking "selfish interests".
The Chinese premier said that Beijing was operating under two principles:
"reciprocal advantages and non-interference in Africa's internal affairs."
The Chinese leader was accorded an airport welcome by Congo's president,
Denis Sassou Nguesso. The two countries signed accords that establish the basis
for economic, commercial and technical cooperation, according to Congo's foreign
ministry.
China also offered to donate medicines for fighting malaria to the west coast
African nation.
Brazzaville in turn agreed to buy two Chinese-made aircraft.
On Tuesday, Wen is due to meet the country's 500-strong Chinese community and
visit one of two hospitals built by China and staffed by Chinese medical
workers.
He will also meet Congolese high school students studying Chinese, before
leaving for Angola.
Trade between the two countries was worth 2.05 billion dollars (1.63 billion
euros) in 2005, according to official figures, with China importing oil and wood
and exporting finished goods and construction equipment.
In the past five years Chinese firms have won several contracts, among them
the building of the foreign ministry, the headquarters of state radio and
television and the biggest hydroelectric dam in the country, north of
Brazzaville.
|