China to push for Africa to get bigger roles in UN organs

Chinese Foreign Affairs assistant minister Liu Jianchao and Counsellor Ms Yan Jiarong during the media briefing of senior editors from 10 African countries.

The Chinese government is committed to meaningful reforms at the United Nations and will push for better representation for Africa in key UN organs, China’s assistant minister for Foreign Affairs Liu Jianchao has said.

Mr Liu noted that China and Africa would strengthen their ties based on mutual respect and understanding to promote a reciprocal relationship that was beneficial to both partners.

“In 1971, Africa played a very important role in the integration of China into the international community from where we have been able to play a major role in world affairs. We cannot forget to return that favour,” he said.

In that year, African nations rallied behind China to replace Taiwan at the United Nations Security Council. And in 1982, the Communist Party of China declared the principles of mutual respect and non-interference, which have been popular among African leaders.

“Last year, President Xi Jinping visited several African countries and underscored the importance of China-Africa relations based on sincerity, results, affinity and good faith,” Mr Liu said. He said the Chinese Prime Minister would soon be visiting several African countries to support the strengthening of ties with the continent.

Liu noted that China stood for equality of all nations, and added that “we are committed to helping African countries achieve better development and assist the African people to improve their lives.”

Results oriented

Addressing a delegation of senior editors from 10 African countries in his office in Beijing on Wednesday, Liu said President Xi Jinping’s government had made a commitment to pursue a results-oriented approach in its cooperation with African countries “for win-win outcomes”.

On the ever growing threat of terror attacks in African countries, Liu said terrorism was a global challenge against which all nations must close ranks to confront.

“China is firmly opposed to terrorism in all its manifestation anywhere in the world,” he said.

He added that China would continue to help African governments to build capacity to effectively tackle the menace.

Peace-keeping missions

Earlier on Tuesday, the Director General of the Department of African Affairs in the ministry, Mr Lu Shaye, dismissed media reports suggesting that China abets corruption in Africa, supports dictatorial governments, perpetrates human rights abuses at home and in Africa and that the country’s growing interest on the continent was the face of neocolonialism. “Nothing can be further from the truth,” Lu said. “The facts speak for themselves”.

He said the ratio of Chinese workers in development projects in Africa by Chinese firms compared to local workers stands at 1:8 in favour of local labour, adding that currently “there are 18,000 Chinese personnel engaged in peace keeping missions in Africa.”

Mr Lu said China had so far participated in 15 peace keeping missions in Africa.

Asked to comment on what he saw as the biggest challenge facing China-Africa co-operation, Mr Lu did not mince his words: “It is the infiltration of local communities by Western media through a section of African media and think tanks. This undermines China-Africa relations to the benefit of Western powers”.

With trade between Africa and the  East on the rise,there  is   unfinished business in the latest round of the scramble for the heart and soul of Africa.