ASHARM AL SHEAIKH: Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao pledged to give African countries $10 billion in concessional loans as a two-day Forum on China-Africa Cooperation opened in Egypt today.

“We will help Africa build up its financing capabilities... we will provide $10 billion for Africa in concessional loans,” Wen said at the start of the forum in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. He also pledged to cancel debts of African countries to increase his country’s role in the continent.

The Asian giant pledged $5 billion in assistance at the last Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit, held in Beijing in 2006, and has signed agreements to relieve or cancel the debt of 31 African countries. “China is ready to deepen practical cooperation in Africa,” Wen said, adding that China was prepared to take on a role in “the settlement of issues of peace and security.” He also said China would set up environmental programmes in the continent, including 100 clean energy projects.

Chinese firms have been pouring investments into oil and other raw materials in Africa to fuel the Asian country’s booming economy. Over the past five years, Chinese direct investment in Africa has soared, from $491 million in 2003 to $7.8 billion in 2008, according to official Chinese figures.

Total trade between China

and Africa surpassed $100 billion in 2008, a tenfold increase in

eight years. Booming trade ties have been accompanied by

China also building schools, hospitals and clinics to fight malaria and offering scholarships for Africans to study in China.

But Beijing’s growing economic role in the poverty-ridden continent has also been met with some scepticism and criticism. China has been accused of throwing a lifeline to pariah regimes accused of massive human rights violations, such as the government of Sudan’s President Omar al-Beshir, who is wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court.

China says it follows a policy of non-interference in domestic affairs of African countries, and denies that Chinese investments and loans come with strings attached.

Sino-African forum opens

SHARM EL-SHEIKH: The two-day Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) opened on Sunday, bringing together 50 countries as China looks set to expand its economic presence in Africa. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak inaugurated the gathering in the presence of several heads of state and government, including China’s Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, President Omar al-Beshir of Sudan and Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe. Mubarak spoke of an “important step forward” at the summit aimed at reinforcing “peace, security and growth,” and “boosting cooperation between China and Africa.” However, he also said “there is a long way to go” before the hopes of the African continent are fully realised. The FOCAC summit here is the fourth of a gathering that is held every three years.