China to stand by developing countries

China to stand by developing countries

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Chinese President Hu Jintao reiterated his pledge on Friday that
China would not leave developing countries in Asia and Africa
behind despite its economic success.

"China will always commit itself to achieving common
development with other countries in Asia and Africa," he told
the leaders from over 100 countries during the Asian-African
Summit here, including Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

Hu said that China would have been unable to achieve success
without the support and assistance from the developing countries.

China, he asserted, has become the fastest growing export
market for Asian and African countries. Hu said China was
determined to continue cooperation with other developing
countries as it was "the cornerstone of China's diplomacy.

"China has provided preferential tariff treatment for many
Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in Asia and Africa and reduced
or forgiven debts owed by some of them," the president said.

China's trade with the rest of Asia and Africa reached
US$462.99 billion in 2004, accounting for 40 percent of its total
foreign trade, he explained.

Hu gave a speech along the same lines while addressing the
Business Summit, an event held prior to the Asian-African Summit
on Thursday.

Hu did not touch on the declining relations between China and
its neighbor Japan, although he pledged his country's commitment
to peace.

"We solemnly reaffirm that China will follow steadfastly its
chosen path of peaceful development. The purpose of Chinese
foreign policy is to maintain world peace and common
development," he said.

Hu and Koizumi have been under the spotlight following
heightened tensions between the two countries, prompted by a
controversial history textbook approved by the Japanese
government.