President Xi Jinping of China says all interest-free loans to African countries that are due to mature by the end of the year will be cancelled.
He said China will also grant an extension of the period of debt suspension to African nations that have been badly affected by the pandemic.
Speaking at the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity Against COVID-19, held by video link on Wednesday (18 June), he outlined plans for Chinese financial institutions to hold “friendly consultations” with African nations.
The consultations, President Xi said, are geared towards agreeing “arrangements for commercial loans with sovereign guarantees”.
He further called for co-operation between Africa and China to tackle the novel coronavirus pandemic.
No room for politicisation
President Xi said China will work with the United Nations and the World Health Organization to contribute to the global COVID-19 response.
He argued that there is no room for politicisation and discrimination of the fast-spreading disease.
“We must stay committed to upholding multilateralism. In the face of COVID-19, solidarity and co-operation is our most powerful weapon. China will work with Africa to uphold the UN-centred global governance system and support WHO in making a greater contribution to the global COVID-19 response.
“We oppose politicisation and stigmatisation of COVID-19, and we oppose racial discrimination and ideological bias. We stand firm for equity and justice in the world,” he said.
Africa to get priority treatment for vaccines
President Jinping said African nations will be a priority for supply once Chinese-made vaccines to counter the SARS-CoV-2 virus are made ready.
China will treat Africa with “respect” and will ensure that African nations will not be trampled by wealthier regions in trying to get access to vaccines.
“China will lose no time in following through on the measures I announced at the opening of the World Health Assembly, and continue to help African countries by providing supplies, sending expert teams, and facilitating Africa’s procurement of medical supplies in China,” the president promised.
“China will start ahead of schedule the construction of the Africa CDC [Centres for Disease Control] headquarters this year.”
E A Alanore
* Asaase Radio 99.5 FM – now live on your radio. Tune in or log on to live streaming.
* Twitter: @asaaseradio995
