China-Africa: Plan for New Schools and Hospitals
By Patrick K. Wrokpoh
The government of the Peoples’ Republic of China says it has resolved to build 100 primary schools across Africa, with Liberia considered as one of the favorites to benefit from the gesture.
The special envoy on African Affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mr. Liu Guijin, said in addition to the construction of these schools, his government has planned to build 13 hospitals across the continent to assist with the medical needs of the countries that would benefit.
Addressing journalists from Africa who visited the Chinese Foreign Ministry recently when he briefed them on his country’s relationship with African nations, Mr. Guijin said that in addition to these gestures, his country has already signed series of relevant bilateral agreements with some countries on the continent for possible bilateral assistance.
Mr. Guijin, the former Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, said all African nations would benefit from this gesture stressing that under the agreement, some of the countries would get more schools while others will get less.
He added that his country is prepared to get these projects started but pointed out that some of the countries are faced with the problem of acquiring land where these buildings will be erected.
Envoy Guijin, who was also his country’s Ambassador to the Dulfur Region of Sudan recalled that during the recent G-8 summit held in Japan, his country made a commitment to countries across the continent that it would focus on the development of Africa, stressing that under the China, Africa Forum, his country remains a partner of Africa.
Ambassador Guijin made it clear that under the China, Africa Forum, which according to him will see his country following the principle of equality with its African partners, China would not allow its trade relationship to interfere with the political affairs or decisions of African countries.
He assured African nations that China would honor all commitment it has made to countries across the continent because as he put it China attaches great importance to its relationship with African nations.
In a related development, the Government of the Peoples’ Republic of China has given its position on the political situation in Sudan and the indictment of the President of that country, Omar Al-Bashir.
In its position released by Ambassador Guijin, when he addressed visiting journalists at the Chinese Foreign Ministry recently in Beijing, the Chinese government said it supports dialogue out of the conflict and wants all the parties to come together and engage in dialogue.
Ambassador Guijin said China supports the position of the African Union and the Arab League to bring the parties to the conference table stressing that the decision of the ICC to indict the Sudanese President comes at an inappropriate time when efforts are being exhorted to pursue dialogue in the matter.
He said the decision of the ICC to unseal the indictment against President Bashir, would jeopardize and complicate the on-going process of dialogue being pursued by the AU and the Arab League.
Copyright © 2008 The Inquirer.