"I think it is a very constructive and timely initiative. China and Africa have long-standing relations. The Chinese government and people have consistently supported the African people and governments in the struggle first for liberation and then for economical and social transformation," he told Xinhua in an exclusive interview before leaving for the forum.

"Now we are entering the new millennium. I think it is an important time for reflection and assessment of the reality of the world, and of how China and Africa can work together to cooperate with this new reality," he said.

Noting dialogue is always important, Salim said African countries are facing many problems of stability and security, but "first and foremost, obviously, we have to fight for economic and social development to end poverty in the continent because poverty is the genesis of most disasters in our continent".

According to the secretary general, the first-ever China-Africa Cooperation Forum will provide a unique opportunity for China to have a better comprehension of the reality in Africa and vice versa.

"Therefore we consider this meaningful dialogue between China and African countries as a unique opportunity to foster relations and to examine concrete ways of cooperation because those concrete ways of cooperation will be beneficial to African countries and China, and help the stability and economic development of the African continent," he said.

The OAU chief said he expected the forum to promote China-Africa cooperation and mutual understanding not simply in terms of areas of improving trade relations, technical cooperation, but also in such areas as how the two sides can work together in international settings and worldwide negotiations to meet the challenge of globalization.

Recalling the development of Africa in the 20th century, Salim said Africa has its ups and downs in the past century. "Africa is a continent which suffers the most because of colonization, racist oppression and unfairness in the whole international system when it comes to African concerns."

"It is not enough for us to lament what happened in the 20th century, we believe that the 20th century also demonstrated Africa 's resilience, Africa's dynamism and Africa's capacity to deal with difficulties and problems," he said.

"We need to get together now to take the issue of unity within our continent more seriously because only in a united position can Africa be in a position to enter the new millennium better prepared, better equipped and work together with the international community as equal partners," he stressed.

Referring to the initiative to establish the African Union proposed at the OAU summit in July, Salim said the objective of the Union is to have greater cohesion and greater solidarity.

It is expected to be able to channel the energy and resources of Africa for the betterment of all African countries and to put the continent in a better position in terms of dealing with the rest of the world, he said.

Salim expressed serious concern over the conflicts on the continent, saying "they take away our resources, they bleed our people, they deprive our people of the food potential that our countries have for economic and social development."

However, he said "I do not believe that they are escalating. I am quite optimistic that by and large we are on the right path although we still have security problems."

When asked about his comment on the concept of globalization, the secretary general noted that African countries have so far been in an disadvantageous position as globalization is concerned because globalization presupposes greater competition.

"Africa continues to be very much dependent on production of primary commodities and raw materials," he said, complaining that "we do not even have a say in most of the prices."

"Neither we control the prices of what we import," he added. " That is reality that everybody knows. That is why we have been fighting and struggling for a better system."

The OAU chief urged African countries to beef up bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and to take the issue of economic integration more seriously.

"In this context, we will be in a better position to compete. The challenge before Africa is not whether globalization is good or bad, but the challenge is how to make the globalization serve the interests of African countries," he indicated.

(Xinhua 10/09/2000)