China adheres to 'five-no' principle with Africa: MFA
By Zhang Jian
People's Daily app
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Chinese President Xi Jinping outlined China's 'five-no' principle in developing relations with Africa at the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China's Foreign Ministry (MFA) said.

"This principle embodies the self-imposed discipline by China in its cooperation with Africa. It also represents the ethical norms that should guide international development cooperation. Ultimately, it is for the people of Africa to say whether China-Africa friendship and cooperation is true and to judge the performance of China-Africa cooperation," said Hua Chunying, the spokesperson for MFA.

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MFA spokesperson Hua Chunying at the regular press conference on December 19. (Photo: fmprc.gov.cn)

The "five-no" principle means no interference in African countries' pursuit of development paths that fit their national conditions; no interference in African countries' internal affairs; no imposition of our will on African countries; no attachment of political strings to assistance to Africa; and no seeking of selfish political gains in investment and financing cooperation with Africa.

A reporter said at the regular press conference on Wednesday that US National Security Adviser John Bolton criticized China in a speech on the US government's new Africa strategy on December 13. Many people in the US and African countries have expressed criticism on Bolton's remarks.

"I've noticed relevant reports. The release of the new Africa strategy and the remarks made by the US official you mentioned have caused such widespread criticism in the international community and even in the US. It is indeed worthy of the relevant US official to reflect on it," Hua said.

"The US side should think clearly whether the purpose of the US' new Africa strategy is to promote Africa's development or to target China-Africa cooperation. If it is the former, China and the US can play their respective advantages and jointly support Africa's development. If it is the latter, we believe African people have sharp eyes, and this kind of practice of the US is not only self-humiliating, but also self-deprecating,” Hua said.