BEIJING: China is hosting a high-profile summit Saturday in which 48 African countries are participating to devise an action plan for increased cooperation between these countries and China.
At a preliminary meeting Friday to make final preparations for the summit, senior officials and ministers discussed and passed an action plan, laying out programs of cooperation for the period 2007 to 2009 under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
The delegates at the meeting stressed on China's growing role in Africa and China's vice premier Wi Yi declared that China-Africa friendship has stood the test of the times and changes in the international environment and it enjoys immense popular support.
The summit will offer a chance for the two sides to prove the relationship is working. The participants -- Chinese leaders, the heads of state or government of more than 30 African countries and envoys from the rest -- are expected to approve a declaration of mutual support. China is also expected to announce an aid and investment package for the African countries.
Observers said China will conclude a series of deals with several African countries and offer aid for various developmental programs. Liberia said China has agreed to offer 40 million yuan ($5 million) grant for a use yet to be decided.
Ethiopia's foreign minister Seyoum Mesfin told the meeting Friday both African countries and China had common experiences facing challenges to their identity and integrity. And there is enormous potential for trade between the African countries and China.
China's trade with Africa is expected to reach $50 billion in 2006 and analysts see opportunity for China to cement trade and investment deals that have been in the pipeline.
China and Liberia have signed a preliminary deal allowing a Chinese state oil and gas firm, Sinopec Group, to explore oil and gas in the western African state. Ghana's energy minister said it was close to finalizing a $600 million deal with China's Sino Hydro Corporation to build at 400 megawatt hydroelectric dam in the north of the West African country.
Among the heads of state expected to attend the summit are Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe.
The forum, set up in 2000, has been described as a key strategic move by China and Africa to face the challenges in the new century, promote traditional friendship and enhance cooperation. Under its framework, China has canceled debt of 10. 5 billion yuan incurred by 31 heavily indebted poor countries and least developed countries in Africa, and has given zero-tariff treatment to 190 categories of import commodities from 29 African countries.
China has also pledged to help train 10,000 professionals for Africa. The program is scheduled to be completed this year.
