Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Jianchao Friday refuted claims of China's so-called "new colonialism" in Africa, stressing that China-Africa relations are based on equal footing, mutual respect and reciprocity.

 

"No African government or people have ever blamed China for practicing 'new colonialism' in Africa. The African people were once enslaved by colonists and they know better than anyone else what colonialism is all about," Liu said at a press briefing.

 

The political relations between China and Africa are based on equality, mutual trust and non-interference in others' internal affairs, he said on the eve of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

 

Sino-African economic ties are based on equality, mutual benefits and common prosperity, whereas their cultural exchanges are carried out on the basis of mutual respect and are aimed at referring to each others' experiences, he added.

 

So how can such relations be called "colonialism"? The Chinese are never to blame for practicing colonialism in Africa, said Liu.

 

The African governments and peoples all speak highly of relations with China and are thankful for the aid and help China has extended to boost the continent's political, economic and social development over the past decades.

 

In seeking a new strategic partnership with Africa, China's ultimate goal is to achieve common development, improve the living standards of the Chinese and the Africans and subsequently promote world peace and prosperity, he said.

 

Against the backdrop of globalization, enhanced cooperation between China and Africa will enable the two sides to take the new opportunities and to join hands in tackling the challenges. "Africa needs China. And China needs Africa as well," said Liu.

 

Liu hoped those narrow-minded people, who blame China-Africa relations, look upon the relations with a broader vision, and work together with the Chinese and African sides to boost Africa's development and contribute to the prosperity of Africa and the world at large.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 4, 2006)