China-Africa ties best

China-Africa ties best

Comment on "White paper issued on China-Africa cooperation" (China Daily, Aug 29)

China-Africa economic relationship is the most benefited relationship Africa has ever had. African countries have not enjoyed a more balanced cooperation. Institutions established by the West such as the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and the World Trade Organization have imposed many restrictions on African countries. But such impositions are not part of the China-Africa relationship.

I know many students from poor African countries studying in China on scholarships sponsored by the Chinese government. More than 90 percent of African students who have studied in China have good jobs back home thanks to Chinese companies operating across the African continent.

As an African in China, however, I think a lot still needs to be done for Africans in the country to allow them to live a stress-free life similar to that enjoyed by Chinese in many African countries.

For instance, African businesspeople with an investment capital of more than 1 million yuan ($163,000) who have lived in China for over 5 years should be able to get permanent resident permits. But the best they can get now is a 2-year temporary resident permit. Such an arrangement causes some loss both to the businesspeople and those with whom they do business.

Obeta, on China Daily website

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(China Daily 09/05/2013 page9)