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.