China pledges to support Africa's economic development: envoy

ACCRA -- China rejoices at Africa's promising future and supports the continent in pursuing economic liberation, China's ambassador to Ghana Sun Baohong has said.

"China rejoices at Africa's promising future and empathized with Africa's difficulties in development. We resolutely support our African brothers in pursuing national independence and political liberation.

"Looking ahead, China will continue to support African countries in pursuing economic liberation and bring progress and prosperity to their peoples so that Africa's independence is rooted in a more solid and stable footing," Sun remarked.

The Chinese ambassador gave this assurance at the official opening of a three-day Economic Ideas Festival on the theme "Ideas To Transform a Rising Africa".

Speaking on "Delivering Africa's Development: The Economic and Political Alliances Nexus", Sun expressed the difficulty most African countries faced, adding that China would continue to support them in pursuing programs and policies that would liberate the continent economically.

"After dozens of years of independence, many African countries cannot attain economic independence with heavy reliance on foreign capital, technology and even trade terms.

She observed however that Africa was now changing as there had been significant progress in major areas, thereby offering some level of hope for the continent, and that China would not leave Africa alone to struggle with its own challenges.

The three-day festival has representatives from 17 African countries.

Among the topics to be discussed are the economics of arts, youth and leadership, participation of youth in economic governance, Africa and opportunities, among others.