China hosted a reception in Beijing on Thursday evening to
commemorate the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of diplomatic
ties with African countries and the release of China's African
Policy Paper.
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Addressing the reception, Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said
China and Egypt established their diplomatic relations at the
ambassadorial level fifty years ago. This launched the process of
mutual recognition between China and African countries and
signified a new stage of development of Sino-African ties.
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Since then, China has established diplomatic relations with 47
African countries, he said.
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The past fifty years have seen increasingly deep relations in
various fields of cooperation between China and Africa, and have
borne remarkable fruit, Tang said. "Given our all-weather
relationship, genuine cooperation and fraternal affection, China
and Africa are good friends, sincere partners and affectionate
brothers," he added.
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The Chinese government has always attached great importance to
Africa. The release of China's African policy paper shows that the
Chinese government inherits and will carry forward the tradition of
Sino-African friendship and build a new type of strategic
partnership with Africa, featuring political equality and mutual
trust, economic win-win cooperation and cultural exchange, Tang
said.
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"I am convinced this document will help open more channels, add new
elements, enrich the content of, and inject fresh impetus into our
efforts to promote Sino-African friendship," he said.
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It will not only advance China's relationship with Africa, but will
trigger more attention and interest among the international
community in developing cooperation with Africa, which will
contribute to a greater harmony and balanced development of the
world, Tang added.
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Eleih-Elle Etian, Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in China,
spoke highly of the China-Africa friendship in his address and
warmly welcomed the release of the document.
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"The document will greatly help push forward the friendly
cooperation between Africa and China," said Etian, who is also
Ambassador of Cameroon to China.
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More than 200 foreign diplomats and Chinese officials attended the
reception.
(Xinhua News Agency January 13, 2006)