Hu wraps up Africa tour with Mauritius deals
PORT LOUIS (AFP) — Chinese President Hu Jintao pledged continued aid to Africa on Tuesday despite his country's economic downturn, as he wrapped up a four-nation visit to the continent.
In Mauritius, Hu signed deals worth more than 270 million dollars to fund infrastructure projects on the Indian Ocean island, home to Africa's largest Chinese diaspora.
Despite the global economic downturn, which has slowed China's growth to single digits for the first time in six years, Hu said: "China will continue to offer help to Africa within its ability."
The Chinese president arrived Monday and was scheduled to depart Tuesday afternoon after previously visiting Tanzania, Mali and Senegal.
Hu lauded bilateral relations with Mauritius as "a model of solidarity and cooperation between China and Africa."
His African trip, which took him to the less resource-rich countries, is seen as a move to counter criticism of Beijing's exploitation of the world's poorest continent, an important source of raw material for growth leader China.
Beijing, whose economy grew 9.0 percent in 2008, is accused by the West of unscrupulously disregarding human rights in its drive to secure natural resources from African states, including from regimes such as Sudan which is spurned by the West.
China insists its involvement is even-handed and of mutual benefit to its African partners.
Official Chinese figures show trade between China and Africa jumped 45 percent in 2008, with Chinese exports to the continent up 36.3 percent and its imports, mainly oil, soaring 54 percent.
Hu has used the trip to warn that the global economic crisis was "deepening" and that its effects would worsen.
"The impact of the crisis on economies around the world is still deepening and its grave consequences will be felt more in the days to come," Hu said in the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam on Monday.
He also called on rich nations to assist developing economies in the crisis.
"The developed countries should assume their responsibilities and obligations, continue to deliver their aid, debt relief commitments, maintain and increase assistance to developing countries and effectively help them maintain financial stability and economic growth," he said.
In Tanzania, Hu signed cooperation agreements worth more than 20 million dollars, covering agriculture, communications and technical cooperation.
In Senegal, he signed five trade pacts and he promised to continue offering aid to Mali, where he kicked off his tour last week.
In Mauritius, Hu earned plaudits from Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam on Tuesday for his backing of the African Union's bid for the continent to have a permanent representation in the UN Security Council.
Hu was to tour a Chinese cultural centre in the capital Port Louis before ending his visist later in the day.
The deals signed here include a 260-million-dollar (204-million-euro) loan to extend Mauritius' main airport terminal building, a 6.5 million dollar interest-free loan and five-million dollar grant to the small island nation.
Hu and Ramgoolam also discussed plans by China to create an industrial zone outside Port Louis worth 750 million dollars that is expected to create 34,000 jobs.
"The Mauritian government accords great importance to the ties it has with China and adheres to the One China policy," Hu said during a state banquet late Monday.
"We appreciate this position and wish to thank Mauritius for the support it has given us throughout the years on vital interests."
Ramgoolam lauded the ties between his country and China.
"Although both our countries are developing nations, President Hu and I have very fruitful discussions on our bilateral, regional and international relations," he said.