Judging from the Xinhua headlines today, China is going to put its money where its mouth is when it comes to Africa.
At the end of the first day of the 2006 Forum on China Africa Cooperation in Beijing, these were the Chinese promises to Africa as expressed through Xinhua headlines:
China to further open up market to Africa
China-Africa trade expected to top 100 bln USD by 2010
China to train 15,000 African professionals over next 3 years
China to cancel more debt owed by poor African countries
China to set up China-Africa development fund totaling 5 bln USD
China to provide 3 bln USD of preferential loans to Africa in next 3 years
China to build conference center for African Union
China to double 2006 assistance to Africa by 2009
China to establish trade / economic cooperation zones in Africa
China to strengthen cooperation with Africa in 5 fields
All of this sounds like good news. But if Beijing wants to organize another similar African summit in the next few years, they better make sure they deliver on these promises. African ears are tired of hearing about good intentions.
The first headline is intentionally highlighted.