By ZHANG ZHIPING

Benefiting Africans

By ZHANG ZHIPING

Along with thriving Sino-African economic and trade ties,Chinese companies have attached greater importance to their social responsibility to Africans.

More than 2,000 sweaters woven by Chinese mothers were sent to orphans and disabled children in Kenya and four other African countries in September. This activity was launched by Hengyuanxiang, a leading Chinese wool manufacturer.

Earlier in March, 514 Zimbabwean cataract patients had their vision restored thanks to the 2011 China-Africa Brightness Action sponsored by the Anhui Foreign Economic Construction (Group)Co. Ltd. A medical team of eight experts from the Beijing Tongren Hospital performed free vision rehabilitation surgeries over six days.

Relations between the largest developing country and the continent with the most developing countries have become increasingly close since the 1950s. Half a century has passed,and China has established diplomatic relations with 49 African countries. Now this relationship is moving in a more pragmatic direction featuring mutual bene fi ts. As a result, it has experienced sustained development across the board.

For decades, Chinese companies have invested in Africa and supported African countries in their economic and social development. By July 2010, there were 2,180 Chinese companies doing business in Africa, with investment in 49 African countries.Cooperative projects between China and Africa numbered nearly 8,000, and encompassed agriculture, mining, manufacturing, infrastructure and logistics.

Poor infrastructure has long been a challenge for the development of African countries. So it has always been a focus of Chinese investment. Rough statistics show Chinese companies have built more than 2,000 km of railways, more than 3,000 km of roads and dozens of stadiums for Africa over the past decades.They have helped not only improve residents’ living standards,but also boost local industries.

More importantly, Chinese companies have created job opportunities for Africans. For instance, local employees account for 55 percent of Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE Corp.’s total staff in Kenya.

Training is also a crucial part of China’s commitments. To date, China has trained more than 30,000 African professionals in various fi elds such as agriculture, animal husbandry, fi sheries,health, science and technology.