US should be 'rational' on China-Africa ties

The United States needs to reconsider its attitude toward Chinese investment in Africa, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Wednesday, after US President Barack Obama suggested that his country would be a better partner for Africa than China.

"We hope the United States, the largest developed country in the world, can play a greater role in supporting the development of African nations," Hua said, urging the US to look at China's development and investment on the continent in an objective and rational manner.

Obama said during the US-Africa Leaders Summit that his administration has a long-term interest in Africa's success and is not simply seeking to extract resources for its own purposes.

Hua responded that China has a stable history of cooperation with Africa. As a developing country, China has provided assistance within its capacity, and has cooperated on a mutually beneficial basis, she said.

China's investment has played a positive role in Africa in improving social and economic development, strengthening the continent's capacity for self-development, improving people's livelihoods and eradicating poverty, she added.

"China's Africa policy has always featured sincerity, friendship, equal treatment, mutual benefit and common development," Hua said. "This is the fundamental reason why China-Africa cooperation is welcomed by African countries and people."