"While the Chinese enterprises are involved in resources exploitation in Africa, they contribute to the continent's development at the same time," Wang said.

    Elaborating her viewpoint, she said that China refunds the profits it has earned by reinvesting in infrastructure construction such as building power stations.

    "The investment has brought real benefits to people in Africa and the continent as a whole," the researcher said.

    "Unlike some western countries, China's cooperation with African countries is based on boosting sustainable development in Africa," Wang said.

    While developing oil, iron ore and mineral resources in Africa, China pays much attention to protection of local environment, she said, adding, "We also help train personnel in various fields in an effort to guarantee sustainable development in Africa."

    An Yongyu, president of the China Society for African Studies, said China sticks to a policy of sustainable development. Consequently, it lays stress on sustainable reproduction of resources in its cooperation with African countries.

    For example, An said, when exploiting forest resources in Gabon,China adopted a method of planting saplings at the same time to make it renewable.

    Currently, many African-made products are sold "cheaply" due totheir unfavorable position on the world market, causing huge losses to these countries.

    In energy cooperation with African countries, China purchased their products at a reasonable price in international market in stead of forcing prices down, said An, who used to serve as formerChinese ambassador to several African countries.

    "These examples show that China does attach importance to sustainable development in Africa," An said. Enditem

(Source: Reuters/Xinhua)