FOCAC Summit opens in China

By George Pemba, Beijing China

Forum for China-Africa Cooperation Summit opened on Monday in Beijing, China with renewed commitment by the Chinese Government to help African countries with USD60 billion.

In his opening address, President Xi Jinping said China would provide USD60 billion in financial support to African countries.

According to the Chinese State Television, the support will be provided in form of government assistance as well as investment and financing by financial institutions and companies.

China says it will also expand its imports from Africa, especially for non-resource products and that it will facilitate African financial institutions’ bond issuance in China.

President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika who is among over fifty Heads of State and Government attending the Summit was welcomed at the Great Hall of the People, venue of the meeting by the hosting president, Xi Jinping.

Activities marking the opening of the summit included photo shoots of one by one handshakes by Xi Jinping with all the presidents, group photo of all the presidents and group photograph of all the presidents accompanied with their spouses.-Mana