Feng Zuoku, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries

The First Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation was held in Beijing on August 27-28, 2012. Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) Feng Zuoku, shared his insights on the Forum and China-Africa local-level cooperation with ChinAfrica reporter Yu Nan. Excerpts follow:

ChinAfrica: What is the significance of this Forum?

Feng Zuoku: The cooperation between Chinese and African local governments started after China's reform and opening-up, but the cooperation was not that satisfactory. Currently, there are only 111 pairs of sister cities twinned between us and our exchanges are not in-depth. Therefore, it's necessary to build a platform to enhance exchanges between the local governments.

We invited 80 city mayors from 40 African countries, among which 90 percent are from capital cities, mainly from Sub-Saharan countries. Over 30 Chinese city mayors also attended the Forum.

What topics were discussed at the Forum?

First, urban development. As the infrastructure development in Africa is weak, and its level of urban development is low, the two sides have a huge potential for cooperation in urban planning, and infrastructure construction.

Second, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contact. Participants at the Forum discussed our cooperation in the sectors of education, culture, health and medical care, youth and women, and tourism. Held on a mutually beneficial and win-win basis, this cooperation will boost the African economy, as well as provide channels for Chinese local enterprises to invest and do business in Africa.

Third, making the Forum a mechanism. The Forum will be held every two years, and Beijing will be initially considered as the permanent venue and the city for the secretariat for this forum. A members assembly will be established as the Forum's top authority, composed of local government officials, entrepreneurs, scholars and experts. The members assembly will elect an 80-people council, which includes African ministers, capital city mayors and Chinese provincial officials.

In what areas will practical cooperation at local government level be conducted?

The exchanges between local governments aim to promote their own development, bring real benefits to their peoples, and support entrepreneurs to carry out various cooperation projects, including infrastructure construction, public welfare and charitable activities. Chinese and African local governments should provide necessary services for such cooperation and to create more cooperation opportunities for enterprises.

How does the Forum assist private Chinese companies wanting to expand business abroad?

Currently, major Chinese investors in Africa are state-owned enterprises, while private companies are of relatively small scale. We hope that this forum will be a match-maker for private companies planning to invest in Africa. Among the 200 African entrepreneurs and 600 Chinese entrepreneurs participating at this Forum, 90 percent of the Chinese entrepreneurs come from the private sector. This forum serves as a good opportunity for Chinese entrepreneurs of private businesses to get acquainted with African local government officials, and introduce their projects to obtain support. It is also true that officials from most African countries are ready to provide channels, support and cooperation opportunities for Chinese enterprises.