Uganda commends China for economic development

Ugandan First Deputy Prime Minister Moses Ali Monday commended China for its reform and economic development, saying the Asian country has set a living example forother developing countries.

Ali made the remarks at a seminar on Uganda-China relations held at the International Conference Center here.

He noted that "not long ago, the People's Republic of China wasconsidered to be among the backward countries of the world."

"Today, it would be a grave distortion of facts to classify that great republic among the backward countries of the world. It has transformed itself into a modern state," Ali said.

China has transformed its economy to an unprecedented level of modernization within a relatively short time, he said, adding that"if we borrowed a leaf from our brothers, it is conceivable that both the Movement government and the people of Uganda can also transform Uganda within a relatively short time."

He hoped that the relations between Uganda and China grow from strength to strength for mutual benefit.

Ugandan Acting Foreign Minister Tom Butime told the seminar that "Uganda' s policy objective is to establish a long-term, stable, and deep relationship with China for the common development of our peoples."

Butime reaffirmed the Ugandan government's "one China" policy.

He welcomed the formation of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum,saying, "This is a unique organization. it is based on the principles of equality and mutual understanding and cooperation, friendship, shared identity and purpose."

"Uganda participated in the first Ministerial Conference in Beijing in 2000 as well as the second in Addis Ababa in December 2003," he said. "Our interest in the success of the forum is shownby the participation of President Yoweri Museveni, who led Uganda's delegation to Addis Ababa."

Earlier at the seminar, Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Li Qiangmin delivered a speech entitled "China's Development Is An Opportunity For Uganda," which introduced China's experience in the reform and opening-up drive in the past 25 years.

Ugandan Minister of Tourism, Trade and Industry Edward Rugumayo,Minister of State for Information of the Office of the President Nsaba Buturo and several other state ministers attended the over four-hour seminar.

Source: Xinhua