Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao speaks during the opening ceremony of the
2007 Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the African Development Bank
(ADB) Group in Shanghai, east China, today. The ADB today opened its annual
board meetings in Shanghai, which are widely seen as a move to deepen
China-Africa cooperation. (Xinhua Photo)
The African Development Bank today opened its annual board meetings in
Shanghai as a move to deepen China-Africa cooperation.
Chinese Premier
Wen Jiabao said at the opening ceremony that the meeting would surely boost the
ADB's growth, strengthen its role and increase its influence.
It is the
first time the annual board meetings of the ADB are held in Asia, and the second
time outside Africa.
Wen said the Chinese government and people are
committed to Africa's peace and development.
Since China started to
establish diplomatic relations with African countries in the 1950s, it has built
more than 900 infrastructure and public projects in Africa, he said.
China also extends zero-tariff treatment to the exports of some least
developed African countries to China and offers greater market access to African
products, Wen said.
To enhance bilateral partnership, China announced
further measures including more aid and wider market access to Africa, during
the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held last November.
China will fully deliver on the commitments and is working with African
countries to implement the measures, Wen said.
Themed "African and Asia:
Partners in Development," the two-day meetings will focus on infrastructure
development in Africa, regional integrity and poverty relief.
Around
2,000 people attended the opening ceremony, including Rwandan President Paul
Kagame, President of Cape Verde Pedro Pires, and President of Madagascar Marc
Ravalomanana.
Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the People's Bank of China,
the central bank, and Donald Kaberuka, president of African Development Bank,
also attended the opening ceremony.
"I'm confident that this annual
meetings will become a fresh starting point for all parties to intensify
cooperation and promote development in both Asia and Africa," Zhou said.
Founded in 1964, the ADB has 77 members from Africa, America, Europe and
Asia. China became its member in 1985.