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China Offers Africa Billions in Aid, Debt Forgiveness

Beijing gives back amid flak over greed

By the Associated Press

Posted Nov 8, 2009 8:09 AM CST
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(AP) – Chinese premier Wen Jiabao today pledged $10 billion in low interest loans to African nations over the next three years and said Beijing would cancel the government debts of some of the poorest of those countries. The Asian powerhouse, at the start of a two-day China-Africa summit, looked to deflect criticism that its investments in the continent were motivated purely by greed.

Wen also said China would build 100 new clean energy projects for Africa over the same period to help the continent deal with climate change. China's inroads into Africa, including developing Sudan's oil sector while its government stands accused of atrocities in Darfur, have come at a diplomatic price. Wen also emphasized that China was also prepared to take on a role in the "settlement of issues of peace and security."

Chinese Prime minister Wen Jiabao talks at a session of the 4th Ministerial Conference of the Sino-African Forum in Egypt''s Sharm el Sheik Resort Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009.
Chinese Prime minister Wen Jiabao talks at a session of the 4th Ministerial Conference of the Sino-African Forum in Egypt''s Sharm el Sheik Resort Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009.   (STR)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 17 comments
thezenhaitian
Nov 10, 2009 1:19 AM CST
@freethemail I also detect sarcasm in Thinker's post. Is China really worried about paying a "diplomatic price?" Wasn't it just a few weeks ago last month that the media were critical of the WH for refusing to host the Dalai Lama for fear of offending the Chinese on the eve of Obama's visit to China? Not much fear of a diplomatic tear exists with the Chinese leadership IN REALITY. So... that must leave the fact that the Chinese have a humanitarian motivation--unthinkable!
bewilderbeast
Nov 9, 2009 10:52 AM CST
Well said, Thinker. Hope people THINK as they read your post. Also hope America THINKS about what it wants its legacy to be going forward. A little reading on what the USA has done in the Niger Delta should make any true American realise that the people who "represent you" on foreign shores (eg. Exxon, Chevron) do NOT do you proud.
bewilderbeast
Nov 9, 2009 10:42 AM CST
Oh, boo hoo, Shannonals and Jayster! You think for ONE MINUTE what you did in the rest of the world was out of the kindness of your hearts? What Americans did over the years to Africa and Central and South America was DISGRACEFUL. Theft and pillage. That's what it was. Take a minute to look at the results of your "kindness" in the Niger Delta and Central American and Argentina and Chile. It is BECAUSE you were/are not honest brokers that you are now the world's pariah. You are now running ONLY on the fact that you are presently the world's biggest consumer. PERIOD. When that ends your children will reap the whirlwind.

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

 
China • Africa • foreign aid • Wen Jiabao

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