Louise Mushikiwabo, Minister of Rwanda Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation: China-Africa Cooperation Forum mechanism benefits both China and Africa, and it is an example for win-win cooperation. Taking Rwanda for example, we provide good business environment for Chinese enterprises and Rwanda has become a portal for Chinese enterprises to establish and strengthen the cooperation with East and Central Africa. At the same time, China provides great support and help to Rwanda’s economic and social reconstruction, and sets up a good example for us with the rapid economic development model.
Ouedraogo, commission president of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS): African countries can reap no little benefits from the experiences of China. African leaders are eager to have trade offices in China, in order to further strengthen the ever growing bilateral trade cooperation. Through the cooperation with China, African countries will develop the agricultural product market, and create tens of millions of job opportunities. Africa-China economic trade cooperation has great potentials. ECOWAS hopes Chinese enterprises to support infrastructure construction in Africa, and increase investments in this sector.
Mahamadou Issoufou, President of Niger: Niger hopes to expand the cooperation with China. At present, China’s increasing investments in Niger, and NigerChina cooperation covers resources, infrastructure and other comprehensive areas. Niger plans to construct railways, and we welcome participants from Chinese investors. In addition, Niger has rich groundwater resources and irrigational land, and plan to promote the development of irrigation farming. We hope Chinese advanced agricultural techniques can help realize self-sufficiency in food production in Niger.
Lubinda, Zambia’s foreign minister: African countries should strengthen the cooperation with China as a whole, to avoid internal competition. In addition, the traditional culture between Africa and China are quite different, so both sides should overcome obstacles and deepen mutual understanding, because AfricaChina friendship should not limit to economic cooperation, but include cultural exchange and cooperation.
Alassane Dramane Ouattara, President of Ivory Coast: Between African countries and China, African people and Chinese people, there is a good relation all the time. China’s development will not constitute a threat to Africa, but mean great opportunities. China has large investments in both African public and private sectors. African people should take advantage of China-Africa Cooperation Forum, and continue to promote Africa-China cooperation.
Tanzanian Foreign Minister Bernard Membe: It has been proved that China is always a reliable friend of Africa. China-Africa relation is based on win-win and mutual benefit cooperation, and China-Africa Cooperation Forum will further improve the cooperation. In the past several years, China helped African countries to develop infrastructure and improve education and health level with preferential loans. With China’s help, now African countries have made significant progresses in agriculture, mining, trade and other fields, which people are very proud of.