TANZANIAN AMBASSADOR H.E. O. R. MAPURI’S
INTERVIEW WITH THE “BEIJING REVIEW”

Question: How do you regard the importance of the forum regarding promoting Sino-African relations

Answer: The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is in my view the most important platform that has revitalized the bilateral and multilateral cooperation between African countries and China.

Sino-Africa relations date many centuries back when Chinese sailors of the Ming Dynasty anchored on the shores of the East Coast of Africa. These contacts were later disturbed by the colonial intervention in Asia and Africa. However, after the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, China became an active supporter of the process of decolonization of Africa that in some countries took the form of armed confrontation. After the independence of many African countries in the 1960s, Sino-Africa relations were re-established, but mostly on the bilateral basis.

Since the formation of FOCAC in 2000, the cooperation between China have consistently gathered momentum on both the multilateral and bilateral planes, and has transcended the traditional political and diplomatic contacts between governments and extended to people to people cooperation.

Through the mechanisms and arrangements put in place in the FOCAC framework of cooperation, economic and commercial activities between China and Africa have considerably increased involving traders and investors from both sides. FOCAC has thus brought together the people of China and Africa in the fight against poverty and in the pursuit of dignity and decent living.

Thus to me, the importance of FOCAC lies in the promise of African countries like my own, Tanzania sharing China’s successful experience in development as the fastest growing economy on Earth today.

Question: What do you think of the future development of the forum

Answer: In my opinion, the future of the forum is very bright. My confidence stems from the historical trend of consistent growth of Sino-Africa relations in both strength and scope. The very crystallization of these relations into the formation of this formidable Forum is a reflection of the desire and determination of the people’s of China and Africa and their leaderships to work together to the maximum commitment for the common goal and benefit to all. Furthermore, this determination and commitment rests on the bed-rock of mutual trust, respect, true friendship and unconditional support to each other. All these are virtues that are supportive to the development of the Forum.

Question: What sectors should be strengthened in Sino-African cooperation in the future

Answer: in view of the diversity of interests given that Africa has many countries; all free and sovereign, and China itself too big and heavily populated, it is difficult to single out a few sectors. Through the FOCAC machinery of dialogue however, the following broad sectors seem to garner a common appeal:

In order to mitigate the effects of diversity of interests among single African nations that may at times be overly challenging to China, it is my considered opinion that the use of multilateral avenues be put into consideration during identification of projects and programmes within the FOCAC framework of cooperation. In this regard, such sub-regional organizations like SADC, ECOWAS and EAC and the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) can be of significant help.

Question: What is your expectation of the forum

Answer: When this Forum was founded six years ago, China was known to be a sleeping economic giant and her potentials were already evident. But little was known that this giant would flex its muscles so soon. As we all clearly see, China has emerged into what is today seen as the economic miracle of the world. Tanzania and indeed the whole of Africa, consider ourselves lucky to be in partnership with such an economic power. With this year’s Summit goal to advance the new strategic partnership between China and Africa, we expect the most out of this partnership.This new type strategic partnership can best be discerned from the recently released Chinese Government policy document: “China’s African Policy”. The central features of this partnership according to the policy are mutual trust, economic win-win cooperation and cultural exchange. Indeed we share these views and are inspired by the rapid Chinese economic development. It now dawns to us that with the Chinese brand of determination that should diffuse into Africa through this partnership, poverty eradication in Africa is a very near future possibility. We stand an excellent chance to benefit from the fast growing Chinese economy through Chinese Direct Investments into our countries and easy access of our exports to the huge market that China offers. It is in this context that my expectations from the November 2006 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation are high. I hope a multilateral framework of enhanced cooperation between China and Africa will put in place a mechanism from which bilateral and multilateral operational programmes and projects will be able to be developed and realized. African countries singly and through their Regional blocks, hope to capture the opportunities that will be availed by this arrangement.

Question: What do you want to say about the forum to our readers

Answer: I would urge readers of the Beijing Review to view the Forum positively and contribute opinions that will enhance its relevance and usefulness. Those among them who are entrepreneurs, I invite and encourage them to invest in Africa, the continent that has unanimously decided to “look East”, and justifiably so. And those Beijing Review readers who live in Beijing, I appeal to them to be the jovial hosts they have always been to the African leaders who will gather here in Beijing for the FOCAC Summit this coming November.

Tanzania Embassy, Beijing

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