World News
China supports the development of Uganda’s economy
China Daily07.04.2015Read original
The Boao forum sparks the vision of China international diplomacy. China is a reliable friend of Africa. Uganda will develop closer economic ties with China in the coming years.
The agreements will lead to closer economic ties, as well as help Uganda to build up its industrial skills and to expand and upgrade Entebbe International Airport, which is located southwest of the capital’s central business district. Both countries can strengthen cooperation in areas including infrastructure, investment, medical care and tourism, President Xi Jinping told Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni in a meeting before they witnessed the signings. China is willing to share its experience in developing special economic zones and industrial parks, as well as encourage and support the involvement of Chinese enterprises in Uganda’s industrial and agricultural development, Xi said. Uganda’s economic growth is set to accelerate to 5.3 percent in fiscal 2014-15, driven by infrastructure investment aimed at maximizing benefits from an expected oil boom, Reuters quoted a Ugandan official as saying in March. For decades, China has been a supporter of Uganda’s development and a leading contractor in projects from housing to roads and bridges. Two-way trade reached $520 million in 2013. Calling China a reliable friend of Africa, Museveni said Uganda hopes to see closer cooperation in standard-gauge railways and hydroelectric development. He also called for support from the Chinese government for bilateral cooperation in oil, mineral resources, tourism and industrial parks. […] In a separate meeting on Tuesday, Premier Li Keqiang told Museveni that China wants to establish a railway network in East Africa by working together with countries in that region. China will also offer assistance in the construction of large projects such as airports and hydropower stations, Li said. Deng Yanting, a researcher in African studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the cooperation with Uganda refutes allegations that China is only interested in acquiring African resources. It also shows Beijing’s growing ties with inland Africa, not just traditional partners like coastal Kenya, Deng said.
