November 6, 2006 CHINA has spelled out the political price of its massive new investment in Africa, reminding the leaders of 48 of the continent's nations gathered in Beijing of the importance it places on reunification with Taiwan.
Pledging $US5 billion ($6.5 billion) in loans and credits and a doubling in aid by 2009, President Hu Jintao on Saturday called for trade between the two blocs to reach $US100 billion by 2010. Beijing would also cancel more debt owed by poor African countries.
Mr Hu also promised China would further open up its market to Africa, by increasing the number of tariff-free products from the continent from 190 to 440, and establishing up to five trade and economic co-operation zones.
But while China makes no secret of its desire to become the key player in Africa and to get its hands on the continent's vast mineral and oil reserves, Mr Hu made it clear that Beijing was counting on the recipients of its largesse to reciprocate with diplomatic support. At the opening ceremony of the Forum of China Africa Co-operation, he said: "In all these years, China has firmly supported Africa in winning liberation and pursuing development," referring to technical and military help for various African nations.
"We in China will not forget Africa's full support for restoring the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations," he added. "Nor will we forget the sincere and ardent wish of African countries and people for China to realise complete and peaceful reunification and achieve the goal of building a modern nation."
The summit, in the Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square, underscores China's deepening ties with Africa, whose countries form an important strategic bloc vote in world bodies.
"Our meeting today will go down in history," Mr Hu said.
While five nations with diplomatic ties with Taiwan failed to turn up, the countries - Gambia, Malawi, Burkina Faso, Swaziland and Sao Tome and Principe - are not among Africa's main powers.
Yesterday, China and Africa signed 16 trade deals worth $US1.9 billion, a Chinese official said on the final day of the summit. The commercial contracts and agreements covered cooperation in natural resources, infrastructure, finance, technology and communications, said Wan Jifei, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.
