Chinese Ambassador to the UN Wang
Guangya called on the international community to fulfill aid
pledges and expand South-South cooperation yesterday so as to
support the development of African countries.
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In a speech delivered at the plenary meeting of the
60th Session of the UN General Assembly themed "New Partnership for
Africa's Development (NEPAD): Progress in Implementation and
International Support," Wang said Africa is the world's, and global
development cannot be achieved without Africa's prosperity.
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"However, implementing the?NEPAD remains a
complex and painstaking process," he said.
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Wang said that in spite of African countries' own
efforts and international support, the international community
still needs to make far greater efforts for the African continent
where help is needed in all undertakings.
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"African countries need to further pursue their
national development strategies for more headway, and the
international community should use all kinds of effective measures,
including a substantial increase in aid, to assist and support
them," he said.
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As regards future international support to Africa
in implementing the NEPAD, Wang said aid pledges should be
fulfilled at an early date.
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"In order to reach the Millennium Development
Goals, African countries and people are racing against time," he
said. "We hope that developed countries will acquire the same sense
of urgency and fulfill various pledges at an early date so as to
help African countries in solving urgent problems and building
capacities for self-development."
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Meanwhile, Wang said vigorous efforts should be
made to improve monitoring and help bring about more actual results
in international support.
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"It is necessary to have corresponding mechanisms
to monitor implementation so as to produce more accurate and
detailed reports and relevant recommendations on progress of
international support," he added.
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Wang also called for respect for the autonomy of
African countries, saying the international community, in offering
aid to Africa, should trust the wisdom of its governments and
people, respect their choices of development road, and ensure that
recipient countries have ownership, leadership and full policy
space.
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Last but not least, South-South cooperation among
developing countries should be expanded further to enhance Africa's
development, Wang said.
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"It is an important component of China's foreign
policy to consolidate and develop friendly relations and
cooperation with African countries, support and assist African
countries and people in economic development and social progress,"
he said.
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"The Chinese government is ready to implement the
relevant programs through the China-Africa Cooperation Forum and
other channels to support Africa in enhancing development and
implementing the NEPAD.
(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2005)