Chinese delegation's visit to strengthen co-op between China, Ethiopia: PM

ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- China and Africa are enjoying very robust relation on win-win basis and the high level Chinese delegation's visit is expected to further strengthen and consolidate the high-level cooperation between China and Ethiopia now, said Meles Zenawi, Ethiopian Prime Minister.

In an exclusive interview with journalists of Xinhua News Agency and China Central Television on Monday at his office here, Meles said China has been contributing to Africa's ongoing development and growth by creating market for Africa's products, financing infrastructure on the continent, and by being source of technology and investment among others.

Meles said China is among the other emerging nations that have helped Africa do well economically.

"Africa is beginning to do well economically. One of the main reasons for such turnaround in the economic fate of Africa is the emergence of the emerging nations in general and China in particular," said Meles.

He also said that the announcement of China's President Hu Jintao at the recent G20 Summit that allows 97 percent of the tariff items of export from the Least Developed Countries in Africa which have diplomatic relations with China to enter the country's market free of tariff plays a role in expanding and deepening the existing access of the continent's products to the Chinese market.

Asked about the new African Union (AU) complex built with full sponsorship of the Chinese government here, Meles said the complex is a result of very strong cooperation between China and Africa.

He also said the hall symbolizes the close partnership between China and Africa and also the good prospect ahead of the continent.

"In the entrance of the hall you have an artifact depicting rising Africa. For me, the hall symbolizes the rise of Africa with which China is very intimately related; and so in a way we can say that this is an affirmation of the fact that the rise of Africa, renaissance of Africa is beginning to happen in that this is happening in part as a result of very strong cooperation between China and Africa," said Meles.