China-Africa relations must be mutually beneficial - Kufuor

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor said on Tuesday in Suzhou-China, that relations between China and Africa must be based on a win-win situation in which the aspirations of both Africans and Chinese are met.

He said Africa should seek partnerships that will open up the enormous wealth of their markets in a way that will benefit their people and not those that deprived them of their well-being even as their resources were being taken away.

Former President Kufuor was speaking at a banquet in honour of the 150 delegates attending the Second China-Africa People's Forum at the Taihu International Conference centre. It is under the theme:"People's Voice, People's Friendship and Cooperation of the People."

This was contained in a release signed by Mr. Frank Agyekum, Spokesperson and Special Aid to former President John Agyekum Kufuor and issued on Wednesday

It said five other former African heads of state and two current first ladies are attending. They are Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Joaquim Chicano of Mozambique, Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania, Sylvestere Ntibantunganya of Burandi and Abdel Rahman Swar el-Dahab of Sudan.

The first ladies are Mrs Azeb Mefin of Ethiopia and Mrs Widad Babiker Orner Mudawi of Sudan.

Former President Kufuor said China's immense influence in the world must affect Africa positively to enable her to develop alongside other continents.

"Africa should benefit from the technical know-how of China and there should be equity in transactions. Chinese companies must take seriously the social responsibilities of the communities in which they work and the government must offer scholarships for studying and training to the youth," he said.

The two-day conference was opened by the Vice-President of China, Mr. Jiangping Xi.**