By William Madouk
Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to spend 360 billion Yuan equivalent to over $50 billion and support infrastructure that would create millions of job opportunities in Africa.
In a speech at the opening of China-Africa cooperation summit, President Xi promised delegates from African nations that China would voluntarily and unilaterally open its market wider for African trade with zero tariffs.
“China is prepared to carry out 30 infrastructure connectivity projects in Africa,” Xi remarked.
Xi added that his country is ready to implement 1,000 ‘small and beautiful’ livelihood projects as well as replenish the China-World Bank Group partnership facility to boost Africa’s development.
“We will send 2,000 medical personnel to Africa and launch 20 programs of health facilities and malaria treatment … invest in Africa’s pharmaceutical production,” he noted.
China would extend 360 billion yuan ($50.72 billion) in financial assistance to African states, 210 billion of which would be disbursed through credit lines and at least 70 billion in fresh investment by Chinese companies, with smaller amounts in military aid and other projects.
“To implement the ten partnership actions, the Chinese government will provide 360 billion Yuan of financial support through the next three years,” Chinese President said.
China also revealed that they would provide 1 billion Yuan for emergency food assistance and build 100,000 standardized agricultures with 500 experts and establish China-Africa Agriculture science $ technology innovation alliance.
“China is ready to launch 30 clean energy projects in Africa, put in place meteorological early warning systems and carry out cooperation in disaster prevention,” Xi continued.
He hinted that the Chinese government would give 1 billion Yuan in military assistance, and provide training for 6,00 military personnel and 1,000 police and law enforcement officers.
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit, held in Beijing this year, sets a three-year agenda for ties between the world’s second-largest economy and the world’s fastest-growing continent.