EFE of Spain: Over the past few years, China has been playing a bigger role in the international arena. China is also seeking closer ties with Latin American and African countries. Do you think this will cause frictions or even collision with the United States when China grows its relations with countries in Africa and Latin America?

Answer: Though China has made remarkable progress in its economic and social development in recent years, it still adheres to an independent foreign policy of peace. China's effort to develop friendly relations and cooperation with African and Latin American countries is not targeted at any third country, nor will such effort undermine any other country's interests. I believe this is also recognized by the U.S. Government.

Middle East News Agency (MENA): The Beijing Summit and Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation will be held in November. Is technical assistance part of the aid package China will offer Africa during the meeting? What will China do to help bring Africa into the 21st century? Will the assistance be tied with human rights, good governance and other issues? What is the objective of this Summit?

Answer: The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is an effective mechanism for group dialogue between China and African countries as well as an important platform for enhancing cooperation. China and Africa should make the best use of this platform to conduct friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation. I am confident that the Beijing Summit in November will give a strong boost to the future growth of China-Africa relations.

China-Africa friendship and cooperation have developed for half a century. Even when it was in the most difficult time itself, China still rendered valuable support and gave assistance to African countries and peoples. China's assistance to African countries covers a wide range of areas. Over the past 50 years, to help Africa develop its economy, China has completed some 900 infrastructure projects and projects for social development in Africa, sent 16,000 medical personnel to 43 African countries, who have treated 240 million patients.

During the upcoming Summit, we will focus on economic cooperation, training of professionals and business investment. Within the framework of the Forum, China has canceled debt of 10.5 billion RMB incurred by 31 Heavily Indebted Poor Countries and least developed countries in Africa, and gives zero-tariff treatment to 190 categories of import commodities from 29 least developed countries in Africa. During the 2nd Ministerial Conference in Addis Ababa three years ago, China pledged to train 10,000 professionals for Africa. The training will be completed as scheduled this year. China encourages Chinese companies to come to Africa to carry out cooperation. Such cooperation is aimed at improving Africa's capacity for self-development.

The objective of the Summit is to build a new type of China- Africa strategic partnership featuring political equality and mutual trust, economic win-win cooperation and cultural exchange.

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