Statement on China and Africa
Semptember 26,2007
Mr. Chairman,
Honourable Ministers,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure and honour for me to speak on behalf of my Minister and on behalf of the Eastern Africa Sub-Region.
May I, at the very outset, congratulate H.E. Mr. Yang Jiechi on his appointment on April 27, 2007 as Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. Our sub-region looks forward to working closely with you, as it did with your predecessor, in the task of strengthening and deepening relations between China and Africa.
I commend the Chair and Co-Chair of the 4th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC), H.E. Mr. Ahmed Abou El Gheit, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Egypt, and H.E. Mr. Yang Jiechi for convening the First Ministerial Political Consultations between China and Africa here in New York.
This Forum is a testimony of the rapid expansion of the ties between China and Africa. We believe it will provide an ideal framework for reviewing our partnership in the context of the Declaration of the Beijing China-Africa Forum and the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation.
Mr. Chairman,
China-Africa relations have expanded exponentially. In less than ten years, China’s investments and trade with Africa have registered a stunning growth. In 1999, the value of China’s trade with Africa was $2 billion; by 2004, it had grown to $29.6 billion.
President Hu Jintao’s eight-nation visit to Africa in January, 2007, followed by a succession of high-level visits by other Chinese Government Officials, have given further momentum to Sino-Africa Co-operation.
An interesting phenomenon that has received very little attention is underway. It will nonetheless cause a major economic shift in the centre of gravity of the global economy from the developed to emerging economies. This is the century for emerging markets.
According to Goldman Sachs projections, just four of the largest emerging markets (known as BRICS, for China, Brazil, India, and Russia) will overtake the seven largest industrialized countries, the G-7 (United States, Japan, Germany, France, UK, Italy and Canada) by 2040.
By the middle of this century, China’s economy alone will not only be the largest in the world (as it was before the Industrial Revolution), but will become the anchor economy of the world, leading in global imports, exports and consumption.
What does this mean for Africa?
The emergence of China is critical for Africa and other developing countries. If China falters, a dimmer future faces us. If China succeeds, Africa will copy it’s success. The economic success of China is not only good for her people, but essential to the continued prosperity of our people in Africa.
Mr. Chairman,
China’s relations with the Eastern Africa Sub-Region is not new. Chinese ships landed on the east coast of Africa during the medieval period. More recently, China launched a major investment programme during the 1970’s. The Tanzania Zambia Railway, built by Chinese finance is one of the lasting legacies of this period.
Today, Chinese construction companies are involved in the infrastructure sector in Eastern Africa. They have been building roads, stadiums and buildings in Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti, and Uganda and a petroleum pipeline in the Sudan. Other companies have invested heavily in agriculture, fisheries and related secondary facilities through joint ventures.
Mr. Chairman,
Eastern Africa appreciates the generous and practical assistance extended to our sub-region and continent by the Government of China. We are convinced the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation, and this Ministerial Political Consultative Meeting, are invaluable building blocks for more substantial partnerships.
We welcome China’s decision to increase the products on the tariff-free roster from 28 least developed countries from 190 to 440. We believe this will help spur African exports to China.
What does Eastern Africa want from China? For our sub-region, just as for the rest of the continent, China represents a large and growing market for our national resources. In the near future, it could be a destination for considerable agro products.
As the third largest investor in Africa with Foreign Direct Investment of around $29 billion, China is an important source of investment. Chinese manufacturing and construction is certain, over a period of time, to stimulate the creation of numerous small and medium sized firms in Eastern Africa. These will be a sure source of increased employment for our people.
Mr. Chairman,
As you know, we in the Eastern Africa Region , are very keen to see and learn first-hand how China has succeeded in achieving tremendous growth in a fairly short period of time. We would like Chinese Firms to share what they know especially through transfer of technology. For example, China’s telecommunications and engineering are very competitive, so is China’s knowledge of oil fields. We feel China being a developing country is better able to share with us relevant and appropriate skills and technology.
Eastern African countries have a great deal to offer Chinese investors. Individually and collectively, the 19 Member States of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) present an important investment destination particularly in the key priority areas of agriculture, tourism, telecommunications, energy and mining. A consumer population of 400 million people provides a ready market for Chinese products. The launch of a COMESA Free Trade Area in December, 2008 should offer new investment opportunities and challenges. The expansion of the East African Community to five Member States following the admission of Rwanda and Burundi, has further enhanced the investment potential of the Eastern Africa sub-region.
Mr. Chairman,
Honourable Ministers,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In Eastern Africa, we value the commitment of China to continue a development co-operation relationship with our sub-region and Africa. We are confident China understands our desire to work together as partners. We appreciate the understanding that China has shown for our concerns and special needs as developing countries.
I thank you!
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