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Sino-Africa trade, co-op in energy sector hailed

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-06 17:23

Chinese Special Envoy on African affairs Liu Guijin has hailed the rapidly growing trade ties and cooperation in the energy sector between China and Africa.

Liu, who is on a two-day visit Kampala, the capital of Uganda, told reporters on Wednesday "Our trade with the African continent has been developing rapidly. We have maintained very sound cooperation in trade, economy, health, education, politics and diplomacy."

"It's not right to politicize the normal trade and cooperation between China and Africa. Our relationship with Africa is very transparent and with equal opportunities," he said.

Responding to allegations that China ignores humanitarian crisis on the African continent, Liu rejected it by citing China' s active and intensive involvement in pushing for a peace resolution in Darfur, Sudan.

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China's trade with Africa shot up to $106 billion in 2008 from $10.6 billion in 2000.

"However, due to the global financial crisis, our trade with Africa has been reduced this year," he said.

The World Bank said in its financial report last year that China had been playing an important role in financing and investing in Africa's infrastructure.

The Chinese envoy said China will continue to invest and support African countries in infrastructure construction, economy development, social programs and human rights to help improve the living standard of the African people.