At the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in July this year, China said over the next three years it will promote new China-Africa strategic partnership in five key areas. The new measures demonstrate the Chinese Government's aim to "promote Sino-African relations through development and cooperation," said Lu Shaye, head of the Foreign Ministry's Department of African Affairs at the annual meeting of the Chinese Society of African Historical Studies held September 17-18 in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province. His edited opinions follow:

FOCAC meetings are held every three years, and a series of new measures are proposed at each forum. The five measures adopted this year are based on situation developments, current circumstances in China and African countries, and African development in particular. I personally believe these measures meet present needs, address specific challenges and will be instructive in developing Sino-African relations over the next few years.

The first measure focuses on Sino-African cooperation in the sectors of investment and financing. It consists of $20 billion in loans to be used in areas such as infrastructure construction, agriculture, manufacturing and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This is meant to enhance Africa's ability to develop independently rather than depend on foreign countries.  

In our contacts with African countries, African leaders have often cited the areas mentioned above as being the most in need. We have attached great importance to infrastructure at previous FOCAC meetings, and agriculture has often been mentioned as well. To eradicate poverty, a country must first address unemployment, and its industrial development will help solve unemployment problems on a broad scale. For this reason, many African leaders propose to focus on industrialization and developing manufacturing industries in their nations.

I think this approach is very reasonable, and fits with the development process of our country. Under the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15), China is currently facing the challenges of transforming its economic development pattern and adjusting its economic structure. If China and African countries can cooperate well in this regard, it will be beneficial for all parties involved. The international community seeks to assist the development of African SMEs, and China has already done some work in this area since the last FOCAC meeting, and will continue its efforts this year.

The second measure is concerned with increasing aid to Africa, and helping African nations enjoy the benefits of development. Sino-African economic and trade cooperation is people-oriented. Chinese construction projects in Africa such as office buildings, stadiums and theaters meet the needs of African people. I have long-term experience working in Africa, and I know these projects provide local people with convenient venues for public gatherings or festival celebrations. Of course, other projects such as building roads, bridges, power plants, transmission lines and water facilities serve important functions, too. Western countries tend to accuse China's infrastructure projects of being over-ambitious. But isn't working hard to help people the main point of international aid and cooperation? This year's aid program highlights supporting African people's livelihoods. In addition to the medical teams that China has sent to Africa since 1963, we also offer more focused medical aid in the form of China's "Blindness Prevention Trip," which enables Chinese eye specialists to operate on African cataract patients.

The third one supports African integration. We will establish trans-national and trans-regional infrastructure project partnerships with African counterparts to strengthen Africa's overall development capacity. We hope to complete new projects that will demonstrate the advanced state of Sino-African cooperation. In fact, the infrastructure we constructed in different African countries already contributes to African integration as it constitutes an integral part of some trans-national and trans-regional projects across Africa. Our future projects will be more targeted.

The fourth measure aims to strengthen people-to-people contacts. We  will not only strengthen ties with African governments and political parties, but also focus on exchanges and communication with non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Many African NGOs play positive roles in local social and economic spheres. Therefore, we shall strengthen ties and increase mutual understanding to promote the development of both sides, and also support the development of Sino-African relations. We expect that our embassies and consulates in Africa will play a role in this effort.

Lastly, China intends to work with the African Union (AU) to deepen cooperation in peace and security matters, so as to promote peace and stability in Africa. China rarely participates in solving Africa's security issues, holding back from mediating or sending troops to intervene, as we do not have the desire, the experience or the capacity to do so. So we support the AU's role as a mediator and its efforts to solve Africa's problems. We believe this approach is objective and fair. The Chinese Government constructively participates in African affairs and gives constructive suggestions. This is the most feasible approach to these issues at present.

But during this process, we must adhere to certain principles to ensure that China's contributions do not constitute interference in Africa's internal affairs. We must respect the sovereignty of African countries and consider the specific circumstances of the issue in question. Mediation can be used when some problem really affects regional peace and security. While some problems can be solved by African countries on their own, or can be solved by the two parties, other nations only need to provide a little help. We must comply with the Charter of the United Nations, and only act as authorized by the UN Security Council, ensuring any mediation or action has a legal basis.