Report indicates that China is setting in motion another top-level visit to Africa. Top Chinese political adviser Jia Qinglin will address the opening session of the annual African Union and attend the ceremony of inauguration of the new headquarters. Economic and trade cooperation is the main focus of their overall bilateral relations. During 2011, China and Africa trade volume reached 122.2 billion U.S Dollars.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said that China’s energy cooperation should be fairly and objectively evaluated as it fully adheres to international practices and has substantially improved the African countries’ social and economic development. He added that energy cooperation is neither the sole-content nor the starting point of China’s policy toward Africa. China is providing much-needed assistance to many impoverished African countries, using its own physical and intellectual resources. It has also trained indigenous workforce. China is paving way for Africa’s modernization, which is simultaneously boosting China’s manufacturing and construction industry. However, some brand China’s engagement in Africa as neocolonialism and call its engagement a design for snatching its resources.

The post China Strengthens Ties With Africa appeared first on Politact.

Context
The African Union (AU) and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on

The African Union (AU) and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday that allows India to set up 14 capacity building departments in different member countries of the AU. The MoU signing ceremony took place at the AU headquarters in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on the sideline of the Meeting of India-Africa Foreign Ministers. The Indian delegation headed by Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna was joined by the foreign ministers of 15 African nations for the meeting.

Bilateral India-Africa trade has increased from about £620m in 2001 to £28.5bn in 2010. India hopes it will reach £43bn by 2012. As compared to India, China’s two-way trade with Africa stands at £75bn, and was just £620m in 1992.

Indian companies have mainly invested in telecommunications, energy, mining, and chemical companies. India imports 70% of its oil and gas from Nigeria, Sudan and Angola.

The post India Moves to Advance Trade with Africa and Rival China appeared first on Politact.

The post Qaddafi Agrees To African Union’s Road Map: Zuma appeared first on Politact.