China has announced $60 billion in loans and aid to Africa at the China Africa Summit in the latest indication of Beijing's push for closer ties and increased trade with African countries.
Chinese President Xi Jinping made the announcement at the opening of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Johannesburg Friday.
"The support package includes $5 billion of interest-free loans and $35 billion in preferential financing, export credit lines and concessional loans," Jinping said in his opening remarks, according to Mail & Guardian.
"China is providing support to help lift Africa out of poverty and boost trade and doesn't seek to interfere in nations' internal affairs. China strongly believes Africa belongs to the African people and African problems should be handled by the African people," he added, stressing that Beijing will not interfere in regional politics of continent, according to Voice of America.
African leaders welcomed the announcement, stressing that they will continue to work for deepening trade ties with China.
"China was there when we needed help most and we will never forget that solidarity and comradeship. Africa and China are together a fraternal community with a shared and prosperous future. Africa and China want to prosper together," Zuma said during the summit, according to news24.
The two-day FOCAC meeting is being attended by top African leaders. including South Africa's President Jacob Zuma, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Zimbabwean President and African Union chairman Robert Mugabe and African Union Commission Chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, according to allAfrica.
