Cooperation between China and African nations should focus on projects aimed to improve people's well-being, said top Chinese political advisor Jia Qinglin in Nairobi on Tuesday.

 

"Our goal is to help Africa develop processing and manufacturing industries to create more jobs and revenues, thus facilitating local economic and social development and improving people's life," Jia told more than 400 officials and entrepreneurs attending the opening ceremony of the China-Kenya Economic and Commercial Cooperation Forum.

 

Jia, who arrived in Nairobi Monday on an official good-will visit, said China is ready to share its experience on reform and development with African states and provide assistance, preferential loans and debt relief to them to meet their specific needs.

 

He said the Chinese government will help African nations to train more professionals, build more schools in rural areas as well as agricultural technology demonstration centers and malaria prevention and control facilities so as to bring early benefit to the African people.

 

The Chinese government encourages Chinese enterprises to provide, while investing in Africa, advanced technologies and managerial expertise to African countries and help them strengthen capacity building, said Jia.

 

"Chinese enterprises should fulfill social responsibilities, protect local environment and build public welfare projects," the top political advisor said. "By doing so, they will be paying back to local communities and enabling more African people to benefit from China-Africa business ties."

 

Kenya is the final leg of Jia's visit to four African countries, which has already taken him to Tunisia, Ghana and Zimbabwe.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 25, 2007)